Sen. Murkowski says the Respect for Marriage bill gives certainty to gay couples that their marriages will be recognized nationwide. Sen. Sullivan says the bill is 'more about promoting and expanding religious liberty protections than same-sex marriage.'
To win over enough Republicans, it also says religious nonprofits can refuse to provide services to celebrate same-sex marriages.
The bipartisan vote reflects how far the nation has moved in a few decades on this issue. The bill repeals the Defense of Marriage Act, a law that limited federal recognition of marriage to opposite-sex partners. It passed Congress by an overwhelming margin in 1996. The Supreme Court invalidated that definition in 2015 with a decision called Obergefell v. Hodges, making gay marriage legal nationwide. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote this summer that the court could revisit that decision, setting off a scramble among gay rights advocates, among others, to put marriage protections in federal law.
Sullivan, in his statement, said he disagreed with the Obergefell decision. His statement is silent on whether he personally supports marriage rights for gay couples. His reasons for supporting the bill did not convince Jim Minnery, president of Alaska Family Action, a right-wing Christian advocacy group.The new bill, the Respect for Marriage Act, goes next to the House, where it’s expected to pass easily.Alaska Public Media is our partner station in Anchorage. KTOO collaborates with partners across the state to cover important news and to share stories with our audiences.Get notifications about news related to the topics you care about.
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