SHAHEEN STATEMENT ON JUSTICE DEPARTMENT POLICY RECOGNIZING EQUAL PROTECTION FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement after the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a policy change to extend privileges, protections and rights to all legally married couples in every program the agency administers:

“The Justice Department’s announcement takes a great step forward in the fight for full and complete equality for all Americans. But while our legal system is finally moving to recognize that no American should be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, the reality is that legal discrimination remains.  This is especially true with our veterans, as some same-sex military families are still denied critical benefits because of current law. We need to pass the Charlie Morgan Act because every veteran deserves access to the benefits that they’ve earned and rightfully deserve, and I will continue working to make this goal a reality.”