House Passes Bill to Protect Marriage Equality; Will Senate Follow?
Respect for Marriage Act passed by a vote of 267 to 157, with 47 Republicans joining all Democrats in supporting it, The Washington Post repors.
Whether it will pass the Senate remains uncertain, though, and a vote has not been scheduled in that chamber.Supporters of the legislation intend it as a safeguard if the Supreme Court overturns its 2015 ruling in Obergefell v.
Hodges, which established marriage equality nationwide. In the recent decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should revisit the marriage equality ruling.
Other rulings on individual rights are at risk as well.The bill would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which has not been enforceable since the Supreme Court found it unconstitutional in 2013 but remains on the books.
