U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today delivered the below speech ahead of voting for the Respect for Marriage Act, which he cosponsored. The law would ensure marriage equality for all.

“I woke up this morning, got ready to come over to the Capitol, and as I often do, I glanced over to pictures of my family. And I glanced to a picture of my nine-month-old grandson. Couldn’t be happier about the newest addition to my family. I couldn’t be prouder of the two people who brought him into the world: my daughter Corey and her wife, Hedya.

“When my daughter told me she wanted to get married, I told her what every good parent should tell her: that if this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, I couldn’t be happier for you.

“Shortly after that announcement, my daughter—when she told me she wanted to get married—they had some terrible news: her fiancée just found out she had breast cancer. So, with the decisions facing them, they decided to get married right away. Given all the complications that come with managing treatment, the decision to get married quickly was incredibly important.

“And as I stood at their wedding at a U.S. Court with a federal judge presiding over their union, I knew it was only made possible because of a recent Supreme Court decision. And today… that same court has opened the door to dismantling families like mine. Splitting this little guy’s family apart, potentially.

“We can’t let that happen. We’re talking about marriage. Two committed people, to make sure they have a secure family. And all we have to do is vote ‘yes.’ Don’t complicate the issue! It is that simple. I don’t speak about the religious beliefs of my colleagues, but I have to ask: What God would fault in this baby and his two mommies? There is nothing wrong with this. This is pure love. It’s what we all should aspire to. And with that, I encourage my colleagues to vote ‘yes’ so we are equal in all states.”

Christian Fuscarino, the executive director of New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, Garden State Equality, had this to say about the Respect for Marriage Act:

"At a time when our community – especially LGBTQ+ youth and our trans siblings – are under constant attack, it's unfortunate that we need to introduce a marriage equality bill given that the majority of Americans consider it settled law, but it is necessary as millions of Americans potentially have their marriage at risk because of activist judges on the Supreme Court. LGBTQ+ community stands unified and ready to act as people's basic liberties are being chipped away, such as reproductive freedom, diverse curriculum in schools that keep our kids safe, and healthcare for trans youth. We applaud Congressman Norcross for being a staunch ally as we fight these attacks head-on.”

More than two-thirds of the American public support marriage equality, with majorities across the political spectrum, faiths, and in every region in the country. Support for marriage equality is 11% higher today than in May 2015 when the Supreme Court ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by the U.S. Constitution.

The Respect for Marriage Act repeals the Defense of Marriage Act (H.R. 3396) and ensures that marriages valid under the law of the state where they were performed are recognized for purposes of federal law and benefits. It also provides additional legal protections for marriage equality from those seeking to undermine it while acting under the color of state law.