WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges ruling that every American has an equal right to marry, regardless of sexual orientation:

“This is a remarkable day for our nation.  This decision ends the debate about whether states can deny the licensing or recognition of same-sex marriages and ensures that all loving couples will now be treated equally under the law. Respecting every American’s constitutional right to marry strengthens our families and our communities.

“While we celebrate this historic milestone, we must continue to work to guarantee the fundamental rights and equal protections of all Americans.”  

Sen. Warner joined 167 House members and 43 of his Senate colleagues in filing an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to make marriage equality the law of the land in all 50 states. He is also an original co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, sections of which the Supreme Court found to be unconstitutional in June 2013.

As Governor of Virginia, Sen. Warner was the first to extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBT state workers, and he actively campaigned against the 2005 Virginia Marriage Agreement banning same-sex marriage, which was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. District Court in Bostic v. Schaefer.