Rep. Swalwell Applauds Supreme Court Decisions as ‘Victories for Equality’

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15), who signed onto an Amicus Brief in the Windsor case, released the following statement on the Supreme Court's rulings today that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional and effectively returned marriage equality to California.

"Today's decisions march us closer toward equality for all. With DOMA, the Supreme Court struck from the books a discriminatory law that drew a distinction between the love of same-sex couples and heterosexual couples. And today, the distinction has greatly narrowed, but we still have work to do.

"With respect to Prop 8: ring the chapel bells, same-sex marriage in California is back. This decision is sweet redemption for what we have always known in California: love is love.

"This is a victory for California and a victory for America. I am proud to stand with my gay and lesbians friends and family in celebration of these monumental decisions that end a discriminatory policy that denies federal benefits to committed and loving gay and lesbian couples. There are some 40,000 children in California that live with same-sex parents and these families deserve the same protections that my family enjoys.

"At the same time, we have work to do to continue the movement for equality. There are still 37 states that do not allow same-sex marriage, and I look forward to continuing my work in Congress so every American is treated equally under the law."