US: On Tuesday, the US Senate enacted legislation to secure government recognition of same-sex marriage, in response to concerns that the Supreme Court may overturn a 2015 ruling that legalised it nationally.
The law, which would require the federal government to recognise a marriage if it was legal in the state where it was performed, is intended to serve as a backstop if the Supreme Court rules against same-sex marriage.
It would not prevent states from prohibiting same-sex or multiracial marriages if the Supreme Court permitted it.
“Today the long but inexorable march towards greater equality advances forward,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.
“By passing this bill, the Senate is sending a message that every American needs to hear: no matter who you are or who you love, you too deserve dignity and equal treatment under the law.”
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The bill was supported by 12 Republicans and 49 Democrats
The law was approved by a vote of 61 to 36, with 60 votes required for approval. The bill was supported by 12 Republicans and 49 Democrats. One Democrat, Raphael Warnock of Georgia, was absent, as were two Republicans.
A similar, though not identical, bill passed the House of Representatives earlier this year, with 47 Republicans and all Democrats voting in favour. The House would need to approve the Senate version before it is delivered to President Joe Biden to sign into law.
Steny Hoyer, the House’s No. 2 Democrat, told reporters on Tuesday that the House would likely take up the Senate’s version of the bill next week.
Earlier in June, US Supreme Court abolished the countrywide right to abortion
The Supreme Court abolished the countrywide right to abortion in June, overturning 50 years of precedent.
In a concurring opinion, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said that the court should consider overturning prior decisions preserving individual liberties, such as the 2015 gay marriage case.
According to the US Census Bureau, there are around 568,000 married same-sex couples in the United States.
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