SHAHEEN STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT PROP. 8 HEARINGS

(Washington, D.C.) –U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement as the Supreme Court begins hearing arguments in Hollingsworth v. Perry, a challenge to the constitutionality of California’s ban on same-sex marriage:

“Equality and freedom are at the core of who we are as Americans, and that means freedom for all of us, not just some of us,” Shaheen said.  “I’m glad the Supreme Court is hearing the challenges to Prop. 8 and DOMA because legalized discrimination is absolutely unacceptable and goes against the tenets of our country.  LGBT Americans and families deserve equal treatment and I’m hopeful the high court will strike down these discriminatory laws.”

The Supreme Court is also expected to receive oral arguments for U.S. v. Edith Schlain Windsor – a landmark challenge to Section 3 of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, also known as DOMA – tomorrow.  Earlier this month Shaheen joined 211 members of Congress today in filing an amicus brief outlining the legal rationale for repealing DOMA on grounds that it is unconstitutional.