Last week, The Respect for Marriage Act passed. Is it everything we wish it were? Nope. But is it much better than what we have with regards to reproductive rights? Yes.
It passed on Thursday and US President Joe Biden released the following statement:
Today, Congress took a critical step to ensure that Americans have the right to marry the person they love. The House’s bipartisan passage of the Respect for Marriage Act—by a significant margin—will give peace of mind to millions of LGBTQI+ and interracial couples who are now guaranteed the rights and protections to which they and their children are entitled.
After the uncertainty caused by the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Congress has restored a measure of security to millions of marriages and families. They have also provided hope and dignity to millions of young people across this country who can grow up knowing that their government will recognize and respect the families they build.
I want to once again thank the unwavering champions of this legislation in Congress—Representatives Nadler, Cicilline, and Davids in the House, and Senators Baldwin, Collins, Portman, Sinema, Tillis, and Feinstein in the Senate—who refused to be deterred and brought this vital bill over the finish line. Together, we showed that it’s possible for Democrats and Republicans to come together to safeguard our most fundamental rights.
On this day, Jill and I are thinking of the courageous couples and fiercely committed advocates who have fought for decades to secure nationwide marriage equality at the Supreme Court and in Congress. While we are one step closer on our long journey to build a more perfect union, we must never stop fighting for full equality for LGBTQI+ Americans and all Americans.
Alex Bollinger (LGBTQ NATION) reported on the House vote:
The House of Representatives has passed the Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA) in a 258-169 vote. The bill would require the federal government and state governments to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages performed by other states.
The bill originally passed the House in July and was then passed by the Senate on November 29. The Senate amended the bill to add some religious protections and to state that it doesn’t legalize polygamy, so the House had to pass it again with the amendment.
The bill now goes to President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign it into law.
Of the vote, Fabiola ASantiago (MIAMI HERALD) observed that some of the Republicans in the House who swore, ahead of the midterm elections, that they would support the legislation ended up turning around and voting against it:
Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, who represents increasingly right-wing and politically hysterical Coral Gables, and Mario Diaz-Balart, whose district spans from MAGA-red Hialeah-Miami Lakes into Naples, both switched prior Yes votes -- taken before the Nov. 8 midterms when they were up for re-election -- to No.
Shame on them.
The LGBTQ+ community should remember how easily these House members discarded their vital interests and refused to protect the sanctity of family life.
But I suppose we can at least be thankful that neither Salazar nor Diaz-Balart broke down on the House floor in weepy homophobic oratory against gay marriage like Missouri’s Rep. Vicky Hartzler did.
“This is yet another step toward the Democrats’ goal of dismantling the traditional family, silencing voices of faith and permanently undoing our country’s God-woven foundation,” Hartzler said before the vote.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
There are plenty of religious denominations that support gay marriage, just not hers. And if you believe this country was indeed “woven” by God, his beautiful creation also included gay people. It has been so since the beginning of human time.
Senator Tammy Baldwin was one of the leaders on this effort in the Senate. After the House vote, her office issued the following statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Rob Portman (R-OH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) released the following statement on the Respect for Marriage Act passing the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 258-169:
“We are thrilled that the Respect for Marriage Act passed both the Senate and the House with robust bipartisan support. This commonsense legislation provides certainty to millions of loving couples in same-sex and interracial marriages, who will continue to enjoy the freedoms, rights, and responsibilities afforded to all other marriages. At the same time, our legislation fully respects and protects religious liberty and diverse beliefs about marriage. This is an important and historic step forward in ensuring dignity and respect for all Americans.”
Among those voting for the measure in the House? US House Rep Mark Takano. His office issued the following:
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the House passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. This bill repeals the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, enshrines marriage equality for federal law purposes and provides additional marriage protections at the state level.?The Respect for Marriage act now goes to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
“As the first openly gay Member of color elected in history, enactment of the Respect for Marriage Act means the world to me, to my loved ones, and to millions of Americans,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “Yet we cannot rest— the necessity of this legislation in response to extreme Supreme Court action is a stark call for our vigilance in the fight for human rights. We must rise to the challenge, and we will prevail.”
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