I am elated that the Supreme Court ruling in United States vs. Windsor found in favor of Edie Windsor, and overturned key parts of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) increasing Federal benefits to married same-sex couples. Edie Windsor is an incredibly courageous woman who not only shared her life with her partner, and later wife, for over 40 years, but has spent the last 4 years in court, fighting for the rights of the entire LGBT community by refusing to accept the Federal Government's archaic laws that defined marriage to be exclusively between a man and woman. I also applaud, Roberta Kaplan and the ACLU who argued the case.

The Defense of Marriage Act, passed in 1996, creating a second class of American citizens, by preventing same-sex couples from having the same Federal rights and protection as heterosexual couples. DOMA denies same-sex couples Federal tax benefits, estate tax benefits and immigration status that are otherwise granted to heterosexual married couples. Today's ruling erodes a significant portion of this antiquated law.

Edie Windsor and Thea Spyer, were legally married in Toronto in 2007 after over 40 years together. Their marriage was recognized by the State of New York, but not the Federal Government. Ms. Spyer died less than 2 years after they were married, and left all of her possessions to Ms. Windsor. Due to the Defense of Marriage Act, the couple's marriage was not recognized by the Federal Government and Ms. Windsor was left with owing the federal government close to $400,000 in estate taxes. Had they been a heterosexual couple, Ms. Windsor would have qualified for a spousal deduction, and would have paid no taxes.

Today's ruling by the Supreme Court is not only a great victory for Edie Windsor and the LGBT community, but for the Country as a whole. By striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, we eliminate another level of injustice and get one step closer to having a society based on true equality. I am proud to have Ms. Windsor and Ms. Kaplan as constituents, and even more proud to call them friends.