A law to protect same-sex marriage will be passed in the Senate
The Senate will vote this week on a law protecting same-sex marriage, announced Monday by its Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, after a deal reached between elected officials on both sides.
Chuck Schumer at the Capitol on November 14, 2022.
Getty Images via AFP
In the United States, same-sex unions have been guaranteed by the Supreme Court since 2015. But after the historic High Court overturning on abortion, many progressives fear that right too could be unraveled.
In mid-July, the US House of Representatives passed legislation to protect these unions across the country. All Democrats and 47 Republicans supported the bill. But nearly 160 Republicans opposed it.
Negotiations had been underway in the Senate for weeks to guarantee the support of at least ten Republicans for the text, necessary for its passage under the rules of qualified majority. A group made up of senators from both parties announced on Monday that a deal had been reached on the matter.
“Necessary step”
The text is a “necessary step” to guarantee millions of couples “the freedoms, rights and responsibilities that come with all other marriages,” said Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
An initial procedural vote on this text, which also protects interracial couples, will be held on Wednesday, said Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
The elected official urged the Conservative opposition to rally around the bill which he called “hugely important”.
The vast majority of Americans support same-sex marriage, even in Republican ranks. But the religious right remains mostly against it.
Republican tenor Mitch McConnell, who is likely to influence many voices in his camp, has not yet indicated whether or not he will vote in favor of the text.
AFP extension
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