Senate Republicans caught off guard by GOP support for same-sex marriage bill, may help it pass
The Respect for Marriage Act, a bill to enshrine federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriage that passed in the House on Tuesday, may actually garner enough Republican support to pass in the Senate. And nobody seems more surprised by that than senators.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), facing a tight legislative calendar, was noncommittal about even bringing the bill up for a vote in the Senate. Then, after 47 House Republicans voted yes, he deputized Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) to find 10 Republicans to support it in the Senate.
"I want to bring this bill to the floor," Schumer said Wednesday, "and we're working to get the necessary Senate Republican support to ensure it would pass." He added he "was really impressed by how much bipartisan support it got in the House."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Two Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Rob Portman (Ohio) — are co-sponsors of the identical Senate legislation, and Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), said Wednesday they will likely vote yes. A handful of other Senate Republicans, including Ted Cruz (Texas), John Cornyn (Texas), and Lindsey Graham (S.C.), are hard nos, but most of the other GOP senators were noncommittal, saying they hadn't read the bill, considered it a political stunt, or found it unnecessary.
The Respect for Marriage Act is one of a series of bills House Democrats are passing in response to the Supreme Court striking down Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion — especially after Justice Clarence Thomas, in his concurring opinion, put same-sex marriage and contraception on notice. Only three House Republicans voted for the bill to legalize abortion; the House is scheduled vote on the Right to Contraception Act on Thursday.
It was clear Wednesday that both parties were "surprised at the level of Republican support in the House" for the same-sex marriage bill, The Washington Post reports. "For Democrats, it meant a chance at actually codifying same-sex marriage protections into law and not just having a political albatross to hang on Republicans. For Republicans in the Senate, it meant a degree of scrambling to come up with a unified strategy."
"It's the right policy," Portman said Wednesday. "I've been told by some of my Republican colleagues this morning, 'It's just a message bill.' I said, 'But it's an important message.'"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Playful goslings, an exploding snowman, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
What is rock flour and how can it help to fight climate change?
The Explainer Glacier dust to the rescue
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 19, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
In what states is abortion legal, illegal, and in limbo?
In The Spotlight Where American states stand on abortion care
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'A speaker courageous enough to stand up to the extremists in his own party'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published