Sen. Kelly on Statement on Passage of the Respect for Marriage Act

Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly issued this statement following the Senate’s passage of the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, federal legislation which protects same-sex and interracial marriages performed in states across the country. The bipartisan bill maintains federal religious liberty protections for individuals and organizations. The House will vote on the bill this week. 

“Today we made clear that marriage equality is a fundamental right— one that will soon be written into law. Our common-sense and bipartisan legislation ensures that couples in same-sex marriages have the same protections, benefits, and recognition under the law. I am proud to have voted for marriage equality and will continue to work across the aisle to protect the rights and freedoms of Arizonans,” said Senator Kelly.

The Respect for Marriage Act is backed by more than 400 current and former Republican leaders, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), over 225 major businesses, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Center for American Progress, the Equality Federation, Family Equality, the Freedom for All Americans, the GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the Lambda Legal, the National Black Justice Coalition, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the National Women’s Law Center, the Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Freedom to Marry, the Out and Equal, and more.