June 26, 2014

Today Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District spoke on the House Floor to mark the anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision which struck down the Defense of Marriage Act. Below are her remarks:

“Today is the one-year anniversary of the historic decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. We celebrate the progress we have made for LGBT equality, but more importantly we must recommit to ending the injustice that remains. 

“An announcement last week by the Administration regarding ongoing efforts to extend federal benefits to legally-married same-sex couples, in the wake of that Windsor decision, clarifies what I’ve long-suspected.

“Unless Congress acts, legally-married, same-sex servicemembers, veterans, and their spouses will continue to face discrimination when accessing their benefits from the VA. 

“That is why nearly a year ago, I introduced H.R. 2529, the Veterans Spouses Equal Treatment Act. This bipartisan legislation ensures that no veterans, nor their families, are denied the benefits they deserve, regardless of where they live.

“Members of the military do not serve in defense of the rights and freedoms of a particular state, but rather of the United States. 

“My colleagues have a choice to stand with our veterans and their families, or stand silent while they continue to face discrimination by the very government they fought to defend.”