December 14, 2022 - WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) applauds President Joseph R. Biden for signing the Respect for Marriage Act into federal law. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation repeals the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and enshrines marriage equality into federal law for same-sex and interracial couples. Costa is an original co-sponsor of the bill and voted in favor of the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

"Marriage equality must be protected and guaranteed to all Americans under federal law. In its misguided decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court majority opinion threw into doubt previous rulings on same-sex and interracial marriages," said Costa. “That is why Democrats stepped in to enshrine critical protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. Americans should be able to marry whom they choose.” 

The Respect for Marriage Act will do the following:  

• Enshrine Marriage Equality into Federal Law: The bill requires, for federal law purposes, that an individual be considered married if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed. This gives same-sex and interracial couples additional protection so they can continue to enjoy equal treatment under federal law as the Constitution requires.

• Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA): The Supreme Court effectively rendered the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 inert with its landmark decisions in the United States v. Windsor and Obergefell, holding that marriage equality was a constitutional right. However, this unconstitutional and discriminatory law remains on the books. Therefore, this bill would repeal this statute once and for all.

• Provide Additional Legal Protections: The bill prohibits any person acting under cover of state law from denying full faith and credit to an out-of-state marriage based on the sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin of the individuals in the marriage. It would also authorize the U.S. Attorney General to pursue enforcement actions and creates a private right of action for any individual harmed by a violation of this provision.

The full text of the bill is available here. 
Source: Congressman Jim Costa