According to new polling, the overwhelming majority of Americans support the passage of a federal bill which would codify marriage rights for identical-sex couples.
A Politico/Morning Consult survey conducted over the weekendAsking Americans their opinions on legislation that would guarantee marriage equality as a protected human right, the Senate is currently considering this month. Nearly 6 in 10 Americans — 59 percent — say they support the legislation, while just 29 percent say they oppose the measure.
Opposition to the bill is almost entirely from the right. According to the poll, 75% of registered Democratic-leaning voters support the proposal, while 62 percent of independents agree. Meanwhile, just 38 percent of self-identified Republicans support the bill, while 50 percent say they’re opposed.
Given the Supreme Court’s conservative majority and increasing embrace of right-wing extremism, Democrats fear that marriage equality protections may be endangered. Justice Clarence Thomas suggested this summer that the Court should concur in the Supreme Court case overturning abortion rights. Reexamine all cases involving privacy rights that have been cited in the past.This would include Obergefell v. Hodges, The case that made marriage equality law in 2015
The Respect for Marriage Act aims to ensure that the Supreme Court’s previous action on marriage equality cannot be undone. The bill would repeal and replace the Defense of Marriage ActThe law was passed in mid-1990s. It is currently dormant because of ObergefellShould the Court overturn the precedent it established seven year ago, the law would be reinstated at the federal stage. This law defines marriage as being between one man, one woman. The Respect for Marriage Act would stop this outcome and overrule state laws that enshrine homophobic marriage definitions.
The bill was passed by the House of Representatives by Democrats With the support of 47 GOP lawmakers. At least 10 Republicans must join Democrats in defeating the filibuster expected from the remaining GOP caucus to pass the bill in Senate.
Senators are negotiating with Republicans who might support the bill. They are optimistic that they will be able to find the votes to pass the legislation sometime this month.They have not yet received the 10 votes required.
Some Republicans have supported the bill, but others, including Sens. Marco Rubio (Florida) and Ron Johnson (Wisconsin), have disparaged the bill as being unnecessary, with the former calling it a “stupid waste of time.”
Democratic leaders have condemned those comments, pointing out that the Supreme Court has made the bill’s passage critical.
“Let’s remember why a vote on the Respect for Marriage [Act] is necessary,” Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority leader, stated that ABC News Last week. “Millions upon millions of American women had their right taken away by the extremist MAGA Supreme Court in the Dobbs decision. In a concurring opinion Justice [Clarence] Thomas opened the door for the Supreme Court going even further.”
