It Is Well Past Time for Marriage Equality

Daily Action
Written By Dick Thompson

Make Passing The Respect for Marriage Act During the Lame Duck Session of Congress A Priority

QUICK READ: After Dobbs, it is more important than ever for Congress to protect our civil liberties and make marriage equality the law of the land. Make passing the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) during the lame duck session of Congress a top priority.


CONTENTS:

BACKGROUND

Over 70% of Americans support marriage equality. It’s outrageous that our Members of Congress and Supreme Court do not reflect the American public.

The Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) is a straightforward 500-word piece of legislation that would codify federal marriage equality and guarantee that public acts, records, and proceedings be recognized throughout the land. RMA would secure the rights and benefits of marriages and repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act that allows states and the federal government to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages.

Moreover, RMA would ensure federal protection of all legal state marriages. This would apply not only to same-sex couples but also to any couple regardless of race, ethnicity and national origin.

If this all sounds familiar it is because we already went through this a few months ago when a bipartisan committee in the House passed the bill. Democrats then postponed a vote in the Senate with the rationale that it would be easier to pass the bill after the midterms so that Republicans willing to offer support would not have to risk upsetting their social conservative, far-right base during the election season.

Bipartisan negotiations will need to proceed after the midterms in order to avoid a Republican filibuster. Chair of the House Democratic caucus, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), stated that passage of the bill is “a high priority for the senators.”

Chief sponsor of the bill, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said that she remains “really confident that this will pass when it comes up.”

ACTION One: Call the Senate.

Script for Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

After Dobbs, it is more important than ever for Congress to protect our civil liberties and make marriage equality the law of the land. I support The Respect for Marriage Act and want to make passage of the act a priority during the lame duck session of Congress.

SEN. WYDEN:

Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

After Dobbs, it is more important than ever for Congress to protect our civil liberties and make marriage equality the law of the land. I support The Respect for Marriage Act and want to make passage of the act a priority during the lame duck session of Congress.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

It is important to me that Congress make marriage equality the law of the land. I support The Respect for Marriage Act and want to make passage of the act a priority during the lame duck session of Congress.

ACTION TWO: Call the House.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

After Dobbs, it is more important than ever for Congress to protect our civil liberties and make marriage equality the law of the land. I support The Respect for Marriage Act and want to make passage of the act a priority during the lame duck session of Congress.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

It is important to me that Congress make marriage equality the law of the land. I support The Respect for Marriage Act and want to make passage of the act a priority during the lame duck session of Congress.

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

After Dobbs, it is more important than ever for Congress to protect our civil liberties and make marriage equality the law of the land. I support The Respect for Marriage Act and want to make passage of the act a priority during the lame duck session of Congress.

Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

After Dobbs, it is more important than ever for Congress to protect our civil liberties and make marriage equality the law of the land. I support The Respect for Marriage Act and want to make passage of the act a priority during the lame duck session of Congress.

Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

After Dobbs, it is more important than ever for Congress to protect our civil liberties and make marriage equality the law of the land. I support The Respect for Marriage Act and want to make passage of the act a priority during the lame duck session of Congress.

ACTION THREE: Good Trouble.

GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.” 

FURTHER READING

Dick Thompson
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