The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Respect for Marriage Act today. The bill would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act which bans same-sex marriages from federal recognition and allows states to ignore marriages performed in states where same-sex marriage is legal.

"Today's vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee puts us one step closer to ending federal marriage discrimination," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "We thank the members of the Judiciary Committee who stood up for LGBT families and particularly thank Chairman Leahy and Senator Feinstein for their leadership in fighting this unjust law."