Senate Passes Respect for Marriage Act in 61-36 Vote
AllSides Summary
The Senate voted 61-36 Tuesday to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which would provide federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriage.
For Context: Twelve Republicans joined all Democrats in supporting the bill, which arose after Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said earlier this year that the Court "should reconsider" its prior decision on same-sex marriage. The bill is a key element of the Congress's current lame-duck session, as Democrats try to push through multiple agenda items before Republicans take over the House in January. A bipartisan amendment to the bill was adopted Monday stating that nonprofit religious organizations "shall not be required to provide services" to a marriage they oppose. Three other suggested amendments from Republicans failed.
What's Next: The bill now heads to back to the House, where it's expected to be passed and sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said the House could vote on it as early as next week.
How the Media Covered It: The bill's Senate passage was a top story from news sources across the political spectrum Tuesday evening. Right-rated outlets tended to focus more on the proposed amendments.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
Senate Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill
The Senate on Tuesday passed the Respect for Marriage Act, a measure that would provide federal protections for same-sex marriages.
The upper chamber voted 61-36 to approve the bill. It is expected to clear a final vote in the House next week, after which it will head to President Biden’s desk for final approval.
Democrats have said the bill is necessary after conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his concurring opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization earlier this year that the Court “should reconsider” its decisions in Griswold v....
From the Left
Senate passes Respect for Marriage Act
The Senate has voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA) in a 61-36 vote. All Democrats who were present voted for the bill as well as Republican Senators Roy Blunt (MO), Richard Burr (NC), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Susan Collins (ME), Joni Ernst (IA), Cynthia Lummis (WY), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rob Portman (OH), Dan Sullivan (AK), Mitt Romney (UT), Thom Tillis (NC), and Todd Young (IN).
The bill now goes back to the House of Representatives for another vote because it was amended in the Senate. The...
From the Left
Senate passes bill to protect same-sex marriage
The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to codify the right to same-sex and interracial marriage, with 12 Republicans joining Democrats to send the legislation to the House.
Why it matters: The Senate, with its 60-vote threshold, was the main obstacle to the bill’s passage, but it passed with a 61-36 vote. The House is expected to easily pass it before sending it to President Biden’s desk.
Lawmakers crafted the legislation over the summer in response to an opinion from Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas that the court should reconsider Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized...
AllSides Picks
September 22nd, 2023
September 22nd, 2023
More News about LGBTQ Issues from the Left, Center and Right
From the Left
From the Center
From the Right
