Hours ago, the Senate voted 61-36 to codify into federal law protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. While the bill has been praised as a step forward for LGBTQ equity, there are underlying implications that may have serious impacts on future couples.
Colton Lucas has more details on where the bill may fall short.
With passage of the Respect for Marriage Act in the Senate, current and future granted marriage licenses for interracial and same-sex couples will likely soon be recognized in every state under federal law.
Democratic members of Congress have pushed for passage of the Respect for Marriage Act since 2009, when the bill was first introduced by New York representative Jerold Nadler.
After the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Roe v. Wade, the bill has seen a resurgence. Democrats and republicans alike have feared the court’s ability to reverse the legalization of same-sex and interracial marriages.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the floor this morning the bipartisan bill would prove to be a step in the right direction.
CHUCK SCHUMER: “The Senate will vote to pass the Respect for Marriage act, putting it on the brink of reaching the president’s desk. In many ways, the story of America has been a difficult but an execrable march toward greater equality. Sometimes we’ve taken steps forward, other times, unfortunately we’ve taken disturbing steps backward. But today after months of hard work, after many rounds of bipartisan talks and after many doubts that we could even reach this point, we are taking the momentous step forward for greater justice for LGBTQ Americans.”
If passed by the House and signed by President Biden, the bill would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, make same-sex and interracial marriages federally recognized and provide additional liberties for religious groups.
While Democratic leaders have praised the bill, there’s also growing concern it wouldn’t do enough to protect LGBTQ people.
Every state would have to federally recognize same-sex marriage licenses, which is already the practice thanks to the 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. But if the Supreme Court’s current conservative majority reverses that ruling, the right for same-sex couples to obtain a marriage license would be null in states where it hasn’t already been legalized.
Additionally, the bill would allow religious non-profits to refuse services to same-sex couples.
The bill gained support from several religious organizations, including the Church of Latter Day Saints, which has praised the bills religious exemptions.
With bipartisan success in the Senate, it’s likely to pass in the House, where it previously passed by a vote of 267 to 157 in July.
Though the future of the Respect for Marriage Act still remains unknown, there’s no denying the bill will have major impacts for queer and trans folks nationwide.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Colton Lucas.