The Senate passed bipartisan legislation on Tuesday, November 29th, to protect same-sex marriages. This a great sign of shifting national politics on the issue and a measure of relief for thousands of same-sex couples in the US who have married since the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision that legalized gay marriage nationwide.
The bill, ensuring that interracial and same-sex marriages are enshrined in federal law, was approved 61-36 on Tuesday, including receiving votes from 12 Republicans. Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, said the legislation was a long time coming and part of America’s arduous but inexorable march toward greater equality.
The legislation will now move to the House for a final vote. Democrats are moving quickly, while the party still holds the majority in both chambers of Congress. President Joe Biden praised the bipartisan vote and said he would sign the bill promptly and proudly if the House passes it. He said it would ensure that LGBTQ youth grow up knowing they can lead full, happy lives and build their own families.
