House Gives Final Approval to Respect for Marriage Act
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday took a final vote on the Respect for Marriage Act, sending the landmark legislation to President Joe Biden’s desk where it will be signed into law with 258 votes in favor, 169 opposed, and one member voting “present.”
Members in the lower chamber had already passed the Respect for Marriage Act this summer, 267-167, with 47 Republican “yes” votes. The matter before the House today was whether to approve an amendment that was added by the U.S. Senate to enshrine protections for religious liberties.
The Senate cleared the Respect for Marriage Act on November 29, just barely clearing the 60-vote threshold to avert a filibuster with 61 votes in favor of passing the legislation.
Once signed into law, the bill will protect same-sex couples in the U.S. from many of the most harmful consequences that would result if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns or substantially weakens constitutional protections for same-sex marriage.
“Congress has restored a measure of security to millions of marriages and families,” President Biden said in a statement following the vote. “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.”
The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus released a statement celebrating the House’s vote on Thursday, December 8.
“The Respect for Marriage Act is a bipartisan triumph and a testament that love will always win in the end,” said U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), who chairs the caucus.
“After the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision and Justice Thomas’ alarming concurring opinion, it became imperative that Congress do everything we constitutionally could do to ensure that marriages across this country continue to be protected,” he said. “Today, Congress did what needed to be done.” U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) also released a statement.
“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,” it read. “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.”
Sen. Warnock Beats Trump-Endorsed Walker in Georgia Runoff, Securing Big Win for Democrats and LGBTQ Georgians Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock defeated Republican challenger Herschel Walker in Georgia’s runoff election on December 6, giving Democrats a 51-49 majority in the Senate and securing himself a six-year term.
According to the Associated Press, at 98 percent votes reported, Warnock received 51.3 percent of the vote over Walker’s 48.7 percent. Warnock previously finished ahead of Walker in the national midterm election, but because neither candidate breached the majority threshold, the Senate race proceeded to a runoff.
As a Senator, Warnock has fought to solidify and expand the rights of LGBTQ Georgians. In July 2022, Warnock and fellow Sen. Jon Ossoff secured $4 million of additional funding for Atlanta AIDS service organizations. Since his initial run for Senate in 2020, Warnock has supported the Equality Act and co-sponsored the Respect for Marriage Act.
Warnock’s re-election has secured Democrats an outright majority in the Senate. Prior to his victory, the party held a 50-50 majority in which Vice President Kamala Harris could cast tie-breaking votes. With the outright majority, Democrats will hold more control of committees, lend less power to centrist party members, and be better equipped to push Biden’s agenda despite the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
Walker’s loss is another blow for former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Walker along with over 250 other candidates. According to the New York Times, 82 percent of Trump’s endorsements were successful, but six out of his seven Senate endorsements lost their elections, including Walker.