Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) helped pass the Respect for Marriage Act, bipartisan legislation to uphold same-sex and interracial marriage under federal law and finally repeal the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act. The legislation follows Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion in the Dobbs case in which he argued that the Court should revisit Obergefell v. Hodges and Loving v. Virginia.  

“While it’s disappointing that we need to pass this legislation in 2022, I’m proud that Congress has rejected hate and worked across party lines to protect marriage equality across the country,” said Congresswoman Ross. “We are stronger as a nation when every American is free to marry the person they love.

“The conservative majority on the Supreme Court invited a challenge to marriage equality, and Congress was compelled to act to protect this fundamental right. The passage of this bill marks an historic step forward, but it’s clear we must do more to protect the LGBTQ+ community in North Carolina and nationwide.”

The Respect for Marriage Act repeals the Defense of Marriage Act and safeguards same-sex and interracial marriage by affirming that couples, including same-sex and interracial couples, deserve the dignity, stability, and ongoing protection of marriage.