Earlier this month, 12 Republicans joined 50 Democrats to support the bill (In picture: People watching the Minnesota Senate debate the same-sex marriage bill in 2013)|Fibonacci Blue|CC BY 2.0
In a 61-36 vote, the Senate on Tuesday passed legislation to protect the right to same-sex and interracial marriage in the country.
Earlier this month, 12 Republicans joined 50 Democrats to support the bill. After the Supreme Court struck down abortion rights earlier this year, Democrats had worked quickly to pass this bill fearing a rollback of its 2015 decision that legalized gay marriage.
Called the Respect for Marriage Act, if passed through the House and signed by President Biden, the bill would:
- Require all states to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages performed in any other state
- Help couples in these marriages to be considered for federal benefits like Medicare and Social Security
This does not mean all states have to legalize these marriages. Non-profit religious organizations can choose to deny or help perform same-sex marriages.
Way forward
The House is likely to green-light the bill as early as next Tuesday. President Biden has openly supported same-sex marriage and is most likely to sign this bill too.
Once considered a divisive political topic, the Senate passing this bill reflects on changing social dynamics in American society.