[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 190 (Wednesday, December 7, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H8805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRESS MUST SAFEGUARD SAME-SEX AND INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES

  (Ms. BROWNLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. BROWNLEY. Mr. Speaker, this summer the Supreme Court issued the 
Dobbs decision, a direct assault on the right to safe and legal 
abortion.
  In a disturbing concurrence to an already dangerous decision, Justice 
Clarence Thomas attacked Obergefell v. Hodges, which underpins the 
right to marriage equality.
  With the right to marry potentially at risk, House Democrats put 
people over politics and took action to protect marriage equality for 
all Americans.
  The Respect for Marriage Act prevents right-wing extremists from 
overturning legal precedent and ensures statutory protections for same-
sex and interracial marriages across the country.
  While extremist Republicans continue their path to destroy American 
freedom and challenge the legitimacy of LGBTQ families, Democrats are 
protecting American people's right to marry who they love.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this crucial bill to 
safeguard same-sex and interracial marriages, and I look forward to 
seeing President Biden sign this bill into law to protect and respect 
the right to marriage equality across our country.

                          ____________________