New Jersey Democratic Senator Robert Menendez Announces Support For Legislation To Repeal Defense Of Marriage Act

New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez Sunday authored an opinion piece in The Star-Ledger announcing his support for a bill that would repeal The Defense of Marriage Act, the odious 1996 legislation that prohibits any and all federal agencies from recognizing the legal marriages of gay and lesbian couples. Menendez becomes the thirty-second senator to sign on to The Respect for Marriage Act, sponsored in the Senate by California Senator Dianne Feinstein, and in the House by New York Representative Jarred Nadler. Writes Menendez, Since my vote in favour of the Defense of Marriage Act 15 years ago, like tens of millions of Americans, I have reflected deeply and frequently about this issue. During this time, I have engaged in discussions about the issue of marriage equality with friends, family members, colleagues and of course, the people I serve in New Jersey. I have heard and listened to many different views. But for me, this comes down to an issue of fundamental fairness. For me, this comes down to the principles I learned as the child of immigrants and that I cherish as an American: that we believe in equality for all people under the law. So today, I am announcing my support for the Respect for Marriage Act, which repeals DOMA and ensures that all lawfully married couples — including same-sex couples — receive the benefits of marriage under federal law.” He adds, “I believe the time has come to recognize the civil rights of the LGBT community. Fundamentally, I do not view this as an issue of special rights, but simply one of equal rights. No American should have to wait outside a hospital room while a loved one suffers inside. No American should lose inheritance simply because the federal government does not recognize the couple’s marriage. No child should feel that his or her parents are somehow less equal under the law than a best friend’s parents. This kind of discrimination cannot be tolerated in our society as a matter of law, and it should not be tolerated. Two people who want to be committed to each other should be able to enter into marriage, and they should receive the benefits that flow from that commitment. “