WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today applauded a 5-4 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Section 3 of DOMA defines marriage for purposes of federal law as “only a legal union between one man and one woman,” excluding legally married same-sex couples from all marriage-based federal responsibilities and rights. Earlier this year, Senator King joined 39 Senators and 172 members of the House in filing an amicus brief in today’s case, U.S. v. Edith Schlain Windsor, challenging Section 3 of DOMA. 

Senator King said:

“Today the U.S. Supreme Court delivered justice to thousands of gay Americans who, although legally married, have for far too long been wrongly denied the equality they deserve under the law. The landmark ruling represents a significant step forward in ensuring that all married couples – all married couples – enjoy equal treatment under federal law and have access to all relevant benefits and protections. An important and good decision today from the U.S. Supreme Court.”

Senator King’s statement can be viewed below and is available for download in HD here and SD here.

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