Senate Approves Respect For Marriage Act, Protecting Same-Sex Couples

A bill was passed by the US senate to protect same-sex and interracial marriage on Tuesday, Nov 29. The bill was sent to the house and passed with 61 votes in favor and 36 against. Twelve Republicans voted for the act.

US president Joe Biden welcomed the vote results and thanked congress for voting on the bill which aims to safeguard the fundamental rights that allow Americans to marry the person they love. 

The Respect for Marriage Act would ensure federal benefits such as social security and health care and safeguard the basic rights of individuals.

The act would not force states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples but the people are considered as married if the marriage was approved by the state where it was performed.

The Bill Safeguards Rights For LGBTQ+

This bill will be beneficial for LGBTQ+ and interracial couples as the bill safeguard their rights and protect them from social attacks and questions raised about their gender, sex, and ethnicity. 

But most Republicans still oppose the legislation, as they argue that it is unnecessary and cite a concern about religious liberty.

External influences were made and some conservative groups stepped forward to oppose the bill in recent weeks. Lobbying was also practiced to influence the Republicans to switch their votes. 

The United States assured the fundamental truth which states that love is love, And Americans should have the right to marry the person they love.

If the home state does not allow the marriage, the couple can go to another state, get married there and bring the marriage license back to the home state to recognize them, stated Northwestern University Law Professor Andrew Koppelman.

The bill strengthens the protection for same-sex and interracial marriage by requiring states to recognize a legal marriage performed in other states. This was drafted in response to the supreme court’s decision to overturn Roe V Wade this summer.

This is a historical win for Democrats concerned that a conservative supreme court majority could overturn those rights. 

The bill would also repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union of one woman and one man and allowed states to decline to recognize a same-sex marriage performed in other states. 

That law has remained on the books despite being declared unconstitutional by the Supreme court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. 

Many religious groups have also come forward in support of the bill which ensures marriage protection. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints showed interest and support for the bill while maintaining it same-sex relationships are a sin.

They expressed their opinion that they are grateful for the continuing efforts of those who work for respect for marriage acts including appropriate religious freedom protection while ensuring the rights of LGBTQ+ people. 

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The amendment clarifies that the bill does not authorize the federal government to recognize polygamous marriages and no nonprofit religious organizations which includes churches, Faith-based social agencies, and religious educational institutions required to provide any facilities, services, or goods for the marriage celebration which is performed under this bill.

And it also states that it is require all 50 states to allow same-sex marriage as it is held under the 2015 Supreme court decision Obergefell v. Hodges, it does not restrict the state from banning or limiting same-sex marriage if Obergefell were overturned. 

In reaction to the bill, many people came forward in support of the law and social media gathered a massive number of people to express their opinions on the matter.

People are posting their comments in support of the bill and marking their interest via social media campaigns and hashtags. It is necessary to have a federal law that safeguards and protects all the people who are married and getting married.

The Respect for Marriage Act will be beneficial and relief to all who love each other without bothering about gender, sex, ethnicity, and national origin.