Senator Schatz Statement on Amendment Supporting Equal Treatment of Same-Sex Spouses In Social Security and VA

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the passage of the Schatz-Murray-Shaheen Amendment #1063 which would establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund for legislation to ensure all legally married spouses have access to the Social Security and VA benefits their family has earned, including all same-sex couples.

“Gay couples legally married in any state should be entitled to veterans and Social Security benefits identical to any other married couples.  Tonight, eleven Republicans joined Democrats in recognizing that gay couples deserve equal treatment, regardless of where they live.  We still have work to do to, but this is progress and a win for equal rights.  I thank Senator Murray and Senator Shaheen for their leadership on this important issue.”  

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