On 12th Anniversary of Windsor Decision, Reps. Chu and Balint introduce PRIDE Act of 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, on the twelfth anniversary of the U.S. v. Windsor decision that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Becca Balint (VT-AL) announced the introduction of H.R. 4163, the Promoting Respect for Individuals' Dignity and Equality (PRIDE) Act of 2025. The PRIDE Act includes the text of H.R. 4157, the Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act, which would remove gendered language like "husband" and "wife" from the tax code to accommodate same sex couples. Instead, tax filings will use "spouses" and "married couple."
The PRIDE Act also includes the Refund Equality Act, which would finally allow same-sex couples who married before the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was struck down to claim the refunds they to which they are entitled. For years, same-sex couples in states that recognized legal marriage were wrongfully denied federal refunds because DOMA did not allow them to file federal taxes jointly. That law was overturned in 2013 by the Supreme Court's decision in U.S. v. Windsor, but the IRS still lacks the authority to override limitations in the tax code that limits to three years the period within which a married couple may file jointly after having filed separate returns. This bill would correct that to allow the IRS to provide refunds to same-sex couples who married in states that recognized same-sex marriage before DOMA was overturned.
In the Senate yesterday, Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA) introduced companion legislation to the Refund Equality Act, and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (OR) introduced companion legislation to the Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act.
“For years, same-sex married couples were denied the ability to file taxes jointly and claim tax refunds they had rightfully earned because of the Defense of Marriage Act. Twelve years ago, the Supreme Court's Windsor decision corrected this injustice, but IRS rules about amending tax returns have prevented these couples from claiming all of the refunds they should have earned,” said Rep. Chu. “The PRIDE Act would finally address this by enabling same-sex couples to rightfully claim the tax refunds they deserve as well as update the tax code to promote dignity and equality by erasing gendered language of husband and wife that leaves out same-sex couples. This Pride Month, I am proud to join with my House and Senate colleagues in introducing this pro-equality legislation.”
"My marriage with my wife Elizabeth would not be recognized across the country if not for Obergefell. This Supreme Court decision is fundamental to achieving equality and laid the foundation to address all the ways same-sex couples have been systematically discriminated against,” said Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL). “Change needs to be more than symbolic. I’m proud to co-lead this legislation to fight for tax equality for married LGBTQI+ couples and help to right the wrongs of the past.”
“No one should ever have to pay more in taxes because of who they love,” said Senator Warren. “I’m fighting to reverse this discrimination and get couples the refunds they are owed.”
“The right to marry whoever you love may be recognized as the law of the land, but the work toward true equality is far from over,” Senator Wyden said. “The opponents of marriage equality are working to roll back the clock on the progress we’ve made in recent years and decades. That’s all the more reason to root out the remnants of discrimination from the laws on the books, including in our tax code.”
The PRIDE Act of 2025 is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign and the Congressional Equality Caucus. In addition to Reps. Chu and Balint, the PRIDE Act of 2025 is cosponsored by 64 Democrats: Reps. Beyer, Carbajal, Case, Castor, Castro, Clarke, Cleaver, Davis (IL), DelBene, Doggett, Fletcher, Foushee, Frost, Garcia (CA), Garcia (IL), Garcia (TX), Goldman, Gomez, Gottheimer, Houlahan, Hoyle, Jacobs, Johnson (GA), Kamlager-Dove, Krishnamoorthi, Larson, Lee (PA), Lofgren, Magaziner, Matsui, McClellan, McGovern, McIver, Menendez, Moore (WI), Morelle, Nadler, Neguse, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Panetta, Pettersen, Ramirez, Randall, Raskin, Salinas, Sanchez, Scanlon, Schakowsky, Schneider, Schrier, Scott (GA), Sherman, Smith (WA), Takano, Thanedar, Titus, Tlaib, Tokuda, Tonko, Underwood, Velazquez, Wasserman Schultz.
Click here for the text of the bill.