The House of Representatives approved The Respect for Marriage Act, which ensures federal recognition for same-sex marriages, on December 8 by a 258-169 vote, one representative voting “present”, neither for nor against. This bill will move on to be signed by President Biden.
This Act permits any marriage between two individuals authorized under state law, which was previously deemed unconstitutional by the United States v. Windsor in 2013. It undermines any measures that allow states not to recognize same-sex marriages, including out-of-state marriages based on not just sex, but ethnicity, race, and national origin.
Only 39 Republicans voted in favor while the remaining 169 (excluding the one present vote) voted against.
In late November, 12 Republican senators, “larger-than-expected”, supported the act after a $1.7 million campaign levied by GOP donors and prominent figures urged their vote, The New York Times claims.
Adding on they write, “Unfortunately a smaller number supported its final passage Thursday night” during the House vote.
Despite the smaller proportion of house Republicans that supported the bill, many Americans were ecstatic about this long-fought win for LGBTQ+ rights. 71% of Americans support marriage equality, or more precisely, according to Gallup.
When Gallup first polled regarding same-sex marriage in 1996, only 27% of Americans supported its legalization, there has clearly been a cultural uprising for marriage equality.
Finally, love is love, and politicians, activists, couples, and believers in equality are rejoicing.
Following the vote Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House tweeted:
“My heart is full. The Respect for Marriage Act will soon be the law of the land: a glorious triumph for love and freedom.”
Representative Nicola Cicilline (Democrat–Rhode Island), chairman of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, declared in July:
“The Respect for Marriage Act will protect same-sex and interracial marriages from any radical or bigoted decision that may come from the current extreme Supreme Court majority. I want the LGBTQ+ community to know that this caucus is fighting for them and their right to live freely.”
In the end, Cicilline and those who voted for the act did fight for the LGBTQ+ community and our country has now ensured that same-sex marriage is legal.
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