Schiff Leads Signature Drive Among CA Congressional Members to Include Marriage Equality in Democratic Party Platform

This is a press release from Congressman Adam Schiff's office.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced that 28 Members of Congress, the majority of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, have signed onto the Freedom to Marry letter to the Democratic Party Platform Drafting Committee urging them to include marriage equality in the Democratic Party’s platform.  Schiff encouraged other Members from California to sign onto the letter and signal their support for marriage equality.

“Over the past few months, the LGBT community has seen a groundswell of support for marriage equality, largely stemming from President Obama’s announcement,” said Rep. Schiff.  “Marriage equality would extend one of our most basic rights of citizenship to all Americans – the right to marry the person you love.  Everyone should enjoy all the benefits and responsibilities of citizenship without discrimination. By making our belief in freedom and equality for all, including those in the LGBT community, part of the Democratic party platform, we can make marriage equality one step closer to becoming the law of the land.”

Earlier this month, the Democratic National Committee announced the members of the Platform Drafting Committee, which will include Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA). Rep. Schiff and the other California Members believe that marriage equality should be part of the party’s official platform heading into November.

Joining Schiff in signing onto the letter are Reps. Lois Capps, Zoe Lofgren, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Lynn Woolsey, Mike Thompson, Anna Eshoo, Jackie Speier, Susan Davis, Janice Hahn, Judy Chu, Grace Napolitano, Howard Berman, George Miller, Linda Sanchez, Loretta Sanchez, Xavier Becerra, Henry Waxman, Sam Farr,  Pete Stark, Mike Honda, Doris Matsui, Jerry McNerney, Brad Sherman, Karen Bass, Maxine Waters, Joe Baca and Bob Filner.  Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Sen. Barbara Boxer had previously signed.  The full letter is below:

To the Members of the Democratic Party Platform Drafting Committee:

The Democratic Party has a noble history of fighting for the human and civil rights of all Americans.

We, the undersigned, believe it is time for the Party to hold true to this record and add to the legacy by taking a stand in support of the freedom to marry for all loving and committed couples.

We urge you to affirm the freedom to marry in the Democratic Party by including this plank in the platform discussion of families:

The Democratic Party supports the full inclusion of all families in the life of our nation, with equal respect, responsibility, and protection under the law, including the freedom to marry. Government has no business putting barriers in the path of people seeking to care for their family members, particularly in challenging economic times. We support the Respect for Marriage Act and the overturning of the federal so-called "Defense of Marriage Act," and oppose discriminatory constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny the freedom to marry to loving and committed same-sex couples.

Numerous national polls have shown that a majority of Americans support marriage for same-sex couples. And Democrats overwhelmingly support the freedom to marry, with polls showing as much as 70% support. You are uniquely positioned to stand with the majority of Americans, and the super-majority of the party, and help make a real difference for families across the country.

We hope the Drafting Committee will fulfill its responsibility to uphold the Party's proud commitment to liberty, equality, and justice for all.

Thank you for helping to put an end to marriage discrimination in this country.