(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the Respect for Marriage Act, key legislation that gives millions of same-sex and interracial couples the certainty they deserve to enjoy the freedoms and rights that all other marriages experience.

“Today's vote is a monumental step forward in protecting the liberty of millions of Americans in same-sex marriages and interracial couples,” said Shaheen. “Legislation to protect the right to marry freely is long overdue and urgently needed. With this bipartisan action, all Americans will finally have the certainty that their marriages will continue to be equally recognized across all fifty states. Our laws need to reflect our values, and by passing this legislation today, the Senate upheld that commitment. I urge the House of Representatives to swiftly pass the bill and send it to President Biden’s desk.”

The Respect for Marriage Act requires the federal government and all states to recognize marriages as legal if they’ve been performed legally in any state. The legislation, which originated in the House of Representatives and was amended by the Senate, will now be reconsidered in the House of Representatives before it is sent to the President to be signed into law. Senator Shaheen is a cosponsor of Senate companion legislation. Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) is a lead sponsor of the House proposal.