Senate Democrats push gay marriage vote to after midterms
Senate Democrats have decided to push the vote to codify gay marriage via the Respect for Marriage Act until after the midterm elections in November, in hopes of garnering enough Republican support to ensure the bill's passage, The New York Times reports. Democrats had originally planned to vote on the bill this coming Monday.
"I'm still very confident that the bill will pass, but we will be taking the bill up later, after the election," said chief sponsor Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). Despite her comments, it's still a toss-up whether the bill will advance, considering it requires a bipartisan 60 votes. Some Republicans have raised concerns about how the legislation might affect religious institutions, business owners, and those who oppose same sex marriage, The Associated Press reports.
The push to codify gay marriage arrives after the Supreme Court in June overturned landmark abortion ruling Roe v. Wade (1973). In a concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas called for the re-evaluation of Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the ruling that granted constitutional protection for gay marriage. Research has shown that American support for gay marriage increased, but even so, Republicans are split on the issue.
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.
Some Democrats are angry about the decision to push the vote, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who said "every single member of Congress should be willing to go on the record" and those who don't want to vote "are on the wrong side of history."
Meanwhile, those in favor of the delay hope it will provide time to garner GOP support and reduce pre-election political pressure.
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
Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.
-
Jean-Marie Le Pen: rabble-rousing co-founder of the French National Front
In the Spotlight Once called the 'most hated man in France', Le Pen maintained that his ideas were simply 'ahead of their time'
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: January 18, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: January 18, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
DeSantis appoints Florida's top lawyer to US Senate
Speed Read The state's attorney general, Ashley Moody, will replace Sen. Marco Rubio in the Senate
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Pam Bondi downplays politics at confirmation hearing
Speed Read Trump's pick for attorney general claimed her Justice Department would not prosecute anyone for political reasons
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden warns of oligarchy in farewell address
Speed Read The president issued a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked power in the hands of the ultra-wealthy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why Trump's Cabinet nominees are facing confirmation delays
In the Spotlight Paperwork and politics play a role
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Hegseth boosts hopes for confirmation amid grilling
Speed Read The Senate held confirmation hearings for Pete Hegseth, Trump's Defense Secretary nominee
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden removes Cuba from terrorism blacklist
Speed read The move is likely to be reversed by the incoming Trump administration, as it was Trump who first put Cuba on the terrorism blacklist in his first term
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea arrests impeached president
speed read Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been detained, making him the first sitting president to be arrested in the country's history
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
House GOP unveils bill for Trump to buy Greenland
Speed Read The bill would allow the U.S. to purchase the Danish territory — or procure it through economic or military force
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published