WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) released the following statement today after the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Proposition 8 – the California measure banning same-sex marriage – is unconstitutional:

I am thrilled that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. For three years, Proposition 8 has denied gay couples in California their rights. Today’s ruling brings our country one step closer to recognizing that all people are created equal and that gay couples should have the same freedom and respect that straight couples do.”