Respect for Marriage Act Passes Senate with Bipartisan Support, Includes Religious Exemptions
The Senate passed the Respect for Marriage Act with support from 12 Republicans, codifying same-sex marriage protections into federal law. The bill would require states and the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages conducted in states where it is legal, but does not mandate all states legalize same-sex marriage and includes religious exemptions. The legislation serves as a safeguard against potential Supreme Court reversal of the 2015 Obergefell decision, reflecting a dramatic shift in bipartisan attitudes toward marriage equality.
The Senate voted to advance the Respect for Marriage Act with bipartisan support, including 12 Republican senators who voted to overcome a filibuster before Thanksgiving. The bill codifies federal protections for same-sex marriage and would require states and the federal government to respect marriages conducted in jurisdictions where they are legal, should the Supreme Court overturn the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision. However, the legislation contains significant limitations: it does not require all states to legalize same-sex marriage, and it includes religious exemptions protecting nonprofit and religious organizations from having to provide support for same-sex marriages. Republican supporters emphasized these religious freedom protections as essential to their support. The bill now moves to the House for consideration before President Biden can sign it into law. The legislation represents a striking reversal from the 1990s when Republicans and Democrats jointly supported the Defense of Marriage Act, with public support for same-sex marriage growing from approximately 25% in 1996 to 71% in recent Gallup polling.
What different sources said
- CNN PoliticsLeft
The fine print of the Respect for Marriage Act
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