[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10742]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, today I have added my name as a 
cosponsor of S. 598, the Respect for Marriage Act. This legislation 
would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, which I voted for in 
1996.
  I now believe it was a mistake for the Federal Government to 
legislate in this area in a way that overrides the effect of State 
laws. Prior to the enactment of DOMA, the Federal Government had 
deferred to the States to determine what constitutes marriage. I 
believe we should return to that position.
  I also believe it is wrong, and probably unconstitutional, for the 
Federal Government to treat married couples differently solely on the 
basis of their sexual orientation.
  Enactment of the Respect for Marriage Act will help ensure that the 
full protections of our Constitution apply to all of our citizens.

                          ____________________