Thursday, Dec. 8 — U.S. Rep. Don Beyer of Falls Church and Northern Virginia today celebrated the House of Representatives’ passage of the Respect For Marriage Act, sponsored by Rep. Jerrold Nadler. The bill repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, protects same-sex and interracial marriage for federal purposes, and provides additional protections at the state level. With House passage, this historic bill heads to President Biden for signature.

     Beyer said:

     “Passage of the Respect For Marriage Act is a victory for freedom, civil rights, and love. I look forward to seeing President Biden sign this historic bill into law very soon.

      “Many of us hoped that the issue of marriage equality had been permanently settled, but the reactionary Dobbs ruling from the Supreme Court’s right wing made it clear that the rights protected by this bill were under threat. The General Assembly and Governor Youngkin must protect marriage equality in the Commonwealth by repealing Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban. Virginians overwhelmingly value equality and freedom, and they deserve this basic measure of respect from their leaders.”