Carper, Coons, Carney Join Amicus Brief to Supreme Court on Marriage Equality

WASHINGTON ­– Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Congressman John Carney (all D-Del.) joined Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi along with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) in filing an amicus brief in the marriage equality cases that are on appeal to the United States Supreme Court on Friday.

The four cases from Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan and Kentucky challenge state laws that prohibit same-sex couples from marrying and deny recognition to lawful marriages performed by other states.  The Supreme Court will decide whether the Constitution guarantees same-sex couples the freedom to marry and to have their marriages respected nationwide.

“I’m a big believer in the Golden Rule, which asks that we treat others the way we would like to be treated,” Sen. Carper said. “That is why I agree that state laws must respect all citizens’ constitutional rights, including the marriage rights of gay and lesbian couples. I am proud to sign onto the amicus brief along with 210 of my colleagues in Congress and thankful for the leadership provided on this issue by Sen. Feinstein and Rep. Nadler.” 

“Everyone should have the right to marry the person they love,” Senator Coons said. “Seventy percent of Americans live in states where same-sex couples can legally marry, but federal law is still inconsistent and discriminatory against those couples. Marriage equality should be the law of the land.”

“I can’t think of anything more basic — or more important to the pursuit of happiness — than having the right to marry the person you love,” Congressman Carney said. “In many states across the country, Americans still don’t have that simple but profound freedom. And for Delawareans who do have this freedom, their marriages deserve recognition beyond Delaware’s borders. It’s time to right this wrong. The Supreme Court has made clear that separate is not equal — I hope it comes to the same conclusion in this case.”

Read the full text of amicus brief here.

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