A bipartisan group of senators expressed confidence they have the votes to pass legislation protecting same-sex marriage amid fears that a future Supreme Court decision would curtail rights nationwide.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has postponed a vote on the legislation until after the midterms and into the lame-duck session. With reports that the legislation could make it through the Senate as early as this week, lawmakers released a statement on Monday saying support is needed to get our common sense legislation passed.”
The senators leading the legislation are Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Senator Thom Tillis. (R-NC).
60 votes would be needed to overcome the threat of a filibuster.
The legislation, the Respect for Marriage Act, would require the federal government to recognize a marriage if it is legal in the state in which it was contracted. The couples would be entitled to “full faith and recognition” from the federal government, but would not require a state to issue a same-sex couple a marriage license.
The legislation also includes provisions that religious organizations and non-profit organizations are not required to provide services or goods for wedding ceremonies. Another provision protects the freedom of religion and protection of conscience provided for by the Constitution or federal legislation. The bill also includes a clause that the federal government has no obligation or authority to recognize polygamous marriages.
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved same-sex marriage protections in July. If the bill passes the Senate, it still has to go back to the House because of the amendment added in the Senate.
The impetus for the legislation was the unanimous opinion of Justice Clarence Thomas in the Dobbs Decision that honored Roe versus Wade. Thomas suggested the Supreme Court review other past precedents, including the Supreme Court’s 2016 decision Obergefell v. Hodges which lifted the ban on same-sex marriage.
Author: Ted Johnson
Source: Deadline
Bernice Bonaparte is an author and entertainment journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for pop culture and a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest entertainment news, Bernice has become a trusted source for information on the entertainment industry.
