Press Release

Today, DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement after President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act, which codifies legal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages following Justice Clarence Thomas’ suggestion that the Supreme Court reconsider their previous rulings on these issues:

“The passage of the Respect for Marriage Act is an incredible victory for every American that values love and freedom. By enshrining legal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages, Congress ensured that the current, far-right Supreme Court majority will not be able to strip these essential rights from the American people. I am extremely proud that the Democratic Party was a driving force behind this important legislation and that every DFL Party member of Congress voted to pass it.”

Background:

Every DFL Party member of Congress voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. Republican Representative Tom Emmer voted for the bill as well, while Representatives Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach, and Pete Stauber voted against it.

Across the country, every single Democratic member of Congress supported the bill. 12 Republican Senators supported the bill, while 36 opposed it. In the House, 47 Republicans supported the bill and 169 opposed it.