Like the Silicon Valley region she represents, Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo exemplifies innovation. She’s creative, boundary breaking and productive. She is a problem solver and a consensus builder. In Rep. Eshoo’s two decades in Congress, she has defended consumers, promoted American competitiveness and innovation, fought for access to health care for families and children, protected the environment, and encouraged development of clean energy technology.
Rep. Eshoo’s work consistently earns the highest approval from a wide range of organizations, including the League of Conservation Voters, the Humane Society, the American Association of University Women, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the Science Coalition. The San Jose Mercury News named her one of the ten most powerful women in Silicon Valley “because she sits on committees that oversee the Internet and biotech—areas vital to the valley’s interests.”
Rep. Eshoo believes all American citizens deserve equality in their personal and professional lives regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Throughout her public service, she has worked for the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and the improved health and well-being for the LGBT community.
Marriage Equality
Rep. Eshoo believes that any adult couple should be allowed to marry regardless of their sexual orientation. Individual states have the authority to determine issues related to marriage, just as they have throughout our nation’s history, but federal law also has a considerable impact on the rights and privileges afforded to same-sex couples.
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal law enacted in 1996, effectively prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex couples as “spouses.” Because of this law, same-sex couples across the nation were denied tax, immigration, social security, and other benefits afforded to heterosexual couples–even in states which legally recognize same-sex marriages. Rep. Eshoo voted against this law when it passed, and has fought for its repeal ever since.
On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Windsor that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional under the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. This decision allows the federal government to formally recognize same-sex marriages. Rep. Eshoo applauded the court’s decision, which was a landmark for civil rights in our nation, but much more work remains to be done before true equality in our nation can be achieved.
On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex marriage is constitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process and equal protection guarantees. This landmark ruling ensures the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in all 50 states. Rep. Eshoo applauded the court’s decision, which reflects an overwhelming majority of Americans who support same-sex marriage