WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas questioned if the Court should reconsider other privacy cases including a ruling guaranteeing same-sex couples’ right to marriage. On a 267-157, the House just passed a bill to codify same-sex marriage.
This is the first time in a long time members will have to go on record where they stand on this. The “Respect for Marriage Act” does a few things, it gives same-sex and interracial marriages federal protection and repeals the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, known as “DOMA” which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. However back in 2013, the supreme court ruled DOMA as unconstitutional but lawmakers said it’s still on the books and want to repeal it once and for all.
Democratic congressional members said they’re worried that the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe means that other rulings like same-sex marriage, interracial marriage and access to contraceptives could be at risk and so that’s why they’re pushing this bill. However, Republicans argue that same-sex marriage is settled law and that there’s no need to vote on this.
“We are here for a charade, we are here for political messaging, Democrats can’t run on their disastrous record, less than four months until an election and all democrats can do is stoke unfounded fears and so that is why we are here with this bill,” said Rep. Jim Jordan (R- OH). “I hope we can defeat it, I hope it doesn’t pass I think it’s unnecessary and wrong.”
“Congress must pass the Respect for Marriage Act to dispel any concern or any uncertainty for the implications from the Dobbs decision,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler (D- NY). “It must pass to enshrine in law the equality and liberty our constitution guarantees.”
267-157 the House passed the bill. All Democrats voted in the affirmative with 47 Republicans joining in the affirmative. Representative Jack Bergman (R- MI) voted “no” on this legislation.
When asked if this bill will be put to a vote on the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D- NY) didn’t commit to that but added that they will look into everything they can to deal with this issue and don’t want the U.S. to move back.
