WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two democratic U.S. Senators announced their support for marriage equality today, according to reports from the Human Rights Campaign, HRC.
U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) announced his support via his Facebook page.
He wrote: “In recent years, our country has been involved in an important discussion on the issue of marriage equality. While serving in the House of Representatives, I had the opportunity to act on a core belief of mine: we are a stronger country when we draw on the strengths of all Americans. I voted to repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ and was an original supporter of the bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against someone in the workplace because of their sexual orientation. It is also for that reason that I oppose amending either Indiana’s or our nation’s constitution to enshrine in those documents an ‘us’ and a ‘them,’ instead of a ‘we.’ With the recent Supreme Court arguments and accompanying public discussion of same-sex marriage, I have been thinking about my past positions and votes. In doing so, I have concluded that the right thing to do is to support marriage equality for all.”
U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) also announced her support for marriage equality.
She wrote: “In speaking with North Dakotans from every corner of our great state, and much personal reflection, I have concluded the federal government should no longer discriminate against people who want to make lifelong, loving commitments to each other or interfere in personal, private, and intimate relationships. I view the ability of anyone to marry as a logical extension of this belief. The makeup of families is changing, but the importance of family is enduring.”
Sen. Donnelly and Sen. Heitkamp are the 52nd and 53rd U.S. Senators, respectively, to endorse marriage equality.
Earlier this week we celebrated announcements from Sens. Tom Carper, Democrat of Delaware, Mark Kirk, Republican of Illinois, and Bill Nelson, Democrat of Florida, in support of loving, committed same-sex couples. Only four Democratic Senators have yet to publicly support marriage for gay and lesbian couples.
Learn more about the Human Rights Campaign’s work for marriage equality on our Marriage Center.
[From a News Release]
