WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) – Top U.S. Senate Democrats and Republicans said Wednesday they could vote to pass a bill that would protect same-sex marriage rights nationally, the day after the House of Commons measure the representative passed with a bipartisan majority.
The measure, designed to back up any effort by the Supreme Court to restore gay marriage rights, passed the House Tuesday with all Democrats and 47 Republican representatives – just over one-fifth of their caucus – voting.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday said he was “really impressed by how much bipartisan support it received in the House.”
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As the Supreme Court last month issued its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruled that the right to abortion should be abolished, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the court should also reconsider its past rulings, which guaranteed access to prevention and the right to homosexual marriage, because they are dependent. the same legal arguments as Roe.
Under Senate rules, Schumer needs at least 10 Republicans to pass the bill in the 50-50 Senate.
Senator John Thune, the House’s No. 2 Republican, said he believes a bill codifying gay marriage could get enough Republican support.
Revelers take part in pride celebrations in Columbus, Ohio, U.S., June 18, 2022. REUTERS / Gaelen Morse
“I would not be surprised. We have not tested this at all, yet,” he told reporters, when asked if 10 Republicans could support such legislation. “But overall, I think that’s something that people in the country have adopted.”
Several other Republicans said they supported the bill. Senator Susan Collins co-sponsored a Senate version of the House bill. Senator Thom Tillis told CNN on Wednesday that he would “probably” vote for it.
Senator Rob Portman, another co-sponsor, said the bill sends “an important message.”
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz said Saturday that the Supreme Court was “clearly wrong” in establishing a federal right to gay marriage. Senator Lindsey Graham said he would not support a bill codifying same-sex marriage.
Other Republicans said they are waiting to read the text of the bill before deciding how to vote.
Republican Sen. Mitt Romney called the law “unnecessary.”
“I have not partially considered this legislation because the law does not change and there is no indication that it will,” he said, adding that Justice Thomas “has opened many doors that no other judge can pass.”
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Report by Moira Warburton, Additional Report by David Morgan; Edited by Scott Malone and Howard Goller
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