March 24, 2015 

Today Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District spoke on the House Floor in advance of reintroducing her bill, The Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act, to ensure that all legally married same-sex veteran couples have access to federal VA benefits regardless of their state of residence. Below are her remarks:

“I rise today on behalf of the LGBT veterans who face discrimination by the very government they fought to defend and to urge my colleagues to join me in ending this injustice. 

“Two years ago DOMA was struck down and most federal benefits were effectively extended to legally married same-sex couples. Yet, an outdated law continues to bar access to VA benefits for LGBT veteran families in states that do not recognize marriage equality. 

“Our men and women in uniform do not serve in defense of a particular state, but of the United States. All veterans should have access to all federal benefits, regardless of where they live, just as they do when they are in the military.

“When President Lincoln laid out his vision of caring for veterans, he said we should support those “who shall have borne the battle.” He didn’t say anything about discriminating against some because of whom they love.

“So please join me in ending this injustice and supporting the bipartisan Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act which I will reintroduce tomorrow. 

“Thank you and I yield back.”