Kilmer Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Defense of Marriage Act
Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement on today’s ruling by the Supreme Court that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. One of the first bills sponsored by Representative Kilmer was a bill to recognize marriage equality at the Federal level.
“I’m proud to hail from a state that stood up and said yes to marriage equality. I don’t believe the pursuit of happiness or the ability to start a family with the person you love should end at our state’s borders. I’m glad today’s ruling will begin to end this era of discrimination. I’ll continue to fight to ensure our entire nation is a place where every family is given the respect and recognition it’s entitled to.”
Kilmer, a member of the House Armed Services Committee immediately called on the Department of Defense – the region’s largest employer - to implement reforms to ensure same sex couples receive the benefits of marriage equality.