Senate set to pass same-sex marriage protection

Legislation, directed by the senses. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona) and Thom Tillis (RN.C.), would get the feds to recognize same-sex marriage, even if a couple moves to a state that does not. In addition, the bill would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman and was passed by the Senate with an overwhelming majority.

« It’s something a lot of people in the LGBT community wouldn’t have expected just a decade ago, it really shows how much our country has changed, it’s a really historic step. It builds on years and years of work by people who have been talking for decades about making sure all couples have the same protections and also making sure we respect the religious freedoms of all Americans,” Sinema said in a statement. interview.

Ahead of Thanksgiving, a total of 12 Senate Republicans backed moving the legislation forward, after negotiators included language in the bill saying it would not affect provisions of a law. of 1993 on religious freedom. This law prohibits the government from imposing a substantial burden on an individual’s right to religious freedom. The bill also clarifies that nonprofit religious groups would not have their tax treatment changed and would not have to perform marital services.

Although the Supreme Court guaranteed the right to same-sex marriage in 2015, supporters of the bill argue that the legislation will provide more certainty for same-sex and interracial couples. Democratic lawmakers were particularly keen to act after Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion in Dobbs challenged previous court rulings, including on same-sex marriage.

Republican opponents of the legislation argue it is unnecessary given that there are no cases challenging the 2015 decision. And some argue that the religious freedom protections in the Senate-negotiated bill don’t go far enough.

The latest likely passage on Tuesday comes more than two months after the House passed its legislation to protect same-sex marriage. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had agreed to Senate GOP demands to delay the vote until after the midterm elections.

« I made the decision to take the risk and wait, » Schumer said in a floor speech. « Today we have proof that the wait was worth it. »