Marriage Equality Supported By South Jersey Lawmakers

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Andy Kim and U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, whose districts cover a wide swath of South Jersey, said they were among the 267 to 157 majority who voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act and also voted to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

The act contains specific language that would not deny marriage to any two people simply "on the basis of the sex, race, ethnicity or national origins of those individuals."

The Defense of Marriage Act's introduction and passage of the act come amid concerns that the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community are at risk after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last month.

Kim (NJ-3) said his support for the bill builds on other issues he has supported.

"Just as I voted to protect women’s health care rights, I am proud to take action in Congress to protect the right to marry who you love," said Kim. "We cannot allow marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples to be threatened."

In a speech that Norcross (NJ-1) gave on the floor of the U.S. House supporting the act before the vote, he said marriage equality does not deserve the complexity that has been thrust upon it.

"All we have to do is vote ‘yes.’ Don’t complicate the issue! It is that simple. I don’t speak about the religious beliefs of my colleagues, but I have to ask: What God would fault in this baby and his
two mommies?" said Norcross. "There is nothing wrong with this. This is pure love. It’s what we all should aspire to."

Every other House legislator in New Jersey's delegation voted Tuesday in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act except Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4).

The Respect for Marriage Act now goes onto the U.S. Senate for its consideration, CNBC reported. Passage by that legislative body is not a guarantee, that network reported.

This story also contains reporting by Josh Bakan.

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