Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) Tuesday introduced a bill to repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, a law that defines legal marriage as between one man and one woman for federal purposes, and allows states to refuse to recognize legally  married same-sex couples.  The bill has so far garnered more than 90 co-sponsors, including out Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis, who stood with Nadler at a press conference earlier today.

Baldwin, in a press release, said the proposed Respect for Marriage Act was intended to reverse a “wrong-headed” law:

In support of families throughout the nation, the legislation we’re introducing today will extend to legally married same-sex couples the same federal rights and recognition now offered to heterosexual married couples – nothing more, nothing less.

Repealing the Defense of Marriage Act is a long overdue and important step on the road to full equality for LGBT Americans.

Same-sex couples are now legally married in six states, and New York and the District of Colombia recognize these out-of-state marriages.

For the federal government to deny any legally married couple the hundreds of benefits and responsibilities that help protect their families is discrimination – plain and simple.

Video of today’s press conference at the Capitol is available at HRC Back Story.