The “Respect for Marriage Act” Repeals DOMA, Enshrines Marriage Equality into Federal Law, & Creates Legal Protections for Americans in Same-Sex and Interracial Marriages

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after President Joe Biden signed into law the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act.

“Today’s signing of the Respect for Marriage Act marks historic, long-overdue action to protect marriage equality, enshrining into federal statute legal protections for same-sex and interracial couples in Virginia and throughout our country. This new law is a monumental step toward strengthening legal protections afforded by the Supreme Court rulings in Obergefell v. Hodges and Loving v. Virginia, protecting civil liberties, and furthering equality for all Americans. Millions of Americans in same-sex and interracial marriages will directly benefit. Our family members, friends, community leaders, and neighbors can sleep more soundly knowing their marriages are now protected under federal law.

“We have come a long way in our pursuit of equal treatment under the law for all Americans — but there is still a long way to go. As we continue to push forward progress, I will always work to guarantee the rights of all my fellow Virginians and fellow Americans.”

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