Hirono Statement on Senate Passage of Respect for Marriage Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that she cosponsored to protect marriage equality in federal law, which passed the Senate by a vote of 61-36. The amended House bill must now be voted on again by the U.S. House before being sent to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

“When the right-wing Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to reproductive freedom, it became clear that this was not the end of possible assaults on our fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to marry who you love,” said Senator Hirono. “With this MAGA Court’s sights on our constitutional rights, I’m glad the Senate came together in a bipartisan manner to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. This critical legislation will give couples in same-sex and interracial marriages peace of mind that their unions will be protected at the federal level.”  

Specifically, the Respect for Marriage Act would:

1. Require the federal government to recognize a marriage between two individuals if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed; and
2. Guarantee that valid marriages between two individuals are given full faith and credit, regardless of the couple’s sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin, but the bill would not require a State to issue a marriage license contrary to state law.

The House companion bill was introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chairman David Cicilline (D-RI). A previous version of the bill passed the House on July 19 by a vote of 267 to 157, with 47 Republicans voting in favor.

Senator Hirono has been a consistent champion for LGBTQ+ rights. Earlier this year, she introduced a resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and took to the Senate floor to block Senate Republicans’ attempt to pass anti-transgender legislation to ban trans women and girls from participating in sports consistent with their gender. In March, Senator Hirono also introduced a resolution with her Senate colleagues recognizing International Transgender Day of Visibility. She is also a sponsor of the Equality Act, legislation which would extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ individuals.

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