Tester Statement on Passage of Respect for Marriage Act

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement following his vote to pass the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that will protect same-sex marriage across the United States.

“It’s not the job of government to tell people who they can or can’t love and marry. In Montana we defend everyone’s individual freedoms, and passing the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act will ensure that politicians and activist judges stop threatening this long-held right.”

The Respect for Marriage would codify protections for same-sex and interracial marriages if the Supreme Court were to overturn its precedent enshrining these rights. The bill would require the federal government and states to recognize valid marriage licenses from other states, regardless of the couple’s sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin – just like they are required to do today. The bill also protects all religious liberty protections available under the Constitution and federal law.

The bill passed the Senate on a 61-36 vote. Tester was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to support the legislation.