America: Lawmakers want to protect gay marriage

The US House of Representatives has voted to protect the right to same-sex marriage in federal law. Background: There is a fear that the US Supreme Court could overturn the law.

The US House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill to protect same-sex marriage. The bill, called the Respect for Marriage Act, got an overwhelming majority of 267 votes, against which 157 votes were cast. In addition to all members of President Joe Biden’s Democratic Party, 47 members of the opposition Republicans also voted in favor of the legislation.

Less chance of success in the Senate

The law stems from Democrats’ fears that the nation’s highest court could overturn the right to abortion and same-sex marriage. However, the draft is given little chance of success in the Senate, where Republicans have a blocked minority. So far, only one Republican senator has publicly agreed to vote in favor of the legislation. A procedural vote would require at least ten Republican votes.

The passing of the Respect for Marriage Act would repeal laws that define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. In addition, all states must recognize marriages that were contracted in another state and are valid there.

The Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015. However, supporters fear that the court, which has moved to the right in recent years, could reverse a landmark ruling at the time—as it did with abortion rights.

In late June, judges overturned the landmark 1973 ruling known as “Roe v. Wade,” which had ensured the fundamental right to abortion. Conservative Constitutional Judge Clarence Thomas also questioned the 2015 ruling on same-sex marriage in remarks on Roe v. Wade Reversal.

A large majority of the US population – 71 percent according to one survey – supports same-sex marriage. But the religious right is strongly opposed.