Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The Court ruled that DOMA is unconstitutional, which paves the way for LGBT married couples to receive equal access to federal protections and benefits, including income taxes and Social Security benefits.
“Today is a day of joy for all of the loving, committed LGBT couples across America, including the more than 2,400 couples who married in my home state of Washington this year, and for all of us who respect and support them. Thanks to the LGBT and allied communities’ commitment to achieving equality, today’s ruling is a true demonstration that the tide is turning, and it is turning rapidly across the country.
“This is a great day for the civil rights and marriage equality movement. Following this good news, I’m going to work with the administration and my colleagues in Congress to ensure that all the rights and federal benefits enjoyed by married couples are provided to LGBT couples as quickly as possible, including to unite bi-national LGBT couples who have been split apart by this discriminatory law.
“While there is much to celebrate today, the fight is not over and I will continue working until who a person loves or where they live, no longer determines their eligibility for the federal protections and responsibilities other married couples enjoy.”
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