Senate expected to pass same-sex marriage bill this month

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The Senate, as a bipartisan group, will vote on legislation to protect same-sex marriage “in the coming weeks,” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday.
• Democrats are concerned that the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade may pave the way for same-sex marriage, contraception and other privacy rights to be dismantled.

The Senate will vote on same-sex marriage “in coming weeks,” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Democrats are concerned that rulings about same-sex marriage, contraception and other privacy rights will be next.

“Let’s remember why a vote on the Respect for Marriage [Act] is necessary,” Schumer said. “Millions upon millions of American women had their right taken away by the extremist MAGA Supreme Court in the Dobbs decision. And in a concurring opinion Justice Thomas opened the door for the Supreme Court going even further.”

“When some Republicans say the vote is unnecessary, it won’t happen — they said the same thing about Roe,” Schumer continued.

Schumer added that Senate Democrats want to pass the bill quickly but they still need at least 10 Republican senators to support the bill in order for it to overcome the filibuster and pass.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) are working to get enough votes from Republicans. The two senators wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post telling their colleagues to “get the job done.”

Sens. Baldwin and Collins also mentioned they prefer the stand-alone bill route and are still working on an amendment to placate GOP concerns about the legislation.

“We’re looking at an amendment that would strengthen the language in the bill to make crystal clear that it does not in any way infringe upon religious liberties, and it also would correct a drafting error in one part of the bill that makes very clear that marriage is between two individuals,” said Collins.

Some Senate Republicans were concerned that the bill might lead to “polygamous marriage” though that is illegal and criminalized in any state in the country.

When asked if she will get the support of 10 Republicans, Collins said, “I’m never confident until the role is called, but we’re making good progress. There’s a lot of sincere interest, but obviously, people want to see the amendment and have input into the amendment.”

The House passed the Respect for Marriage Act in a bipartisan vote of 267 to 157 in July. Forty-seven Republicans joined all Democrats to support the legislation.

The bill revokes the Defense of Marriage Act and replaces provisions that define, for federal law purposes, “marriage” as between a man and a woman. Additional legal protection for same-sex or interracial couples is also provided.

Following the bill’s passage in the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, (D-Calif.) called the feat “another step to defend freedom for the American people.”

Source: ABC News