The Senate approves same-sex marriage

The Senate has voted on a bill that provides for the legalization of same-sex unions. The rule was approved with the favorable vote of 61 senators, 12 of them Republicans, and with 36 voting against.

These endorsements have allowed us to overcome the closing rule, which requires approval above 60 favorable votes for most issues. The law had been approved in the House of Representatives in July with 267 votes in favor and 157 against. The text approved by the Senate is different, as several senators changed the wording to ensure that the new law did not infringe on religious freedoms.

Return to the House of Representatives

Since there has been a change in the wording, the rule will need to be resubmitted for a vote in the House of Representatives. The reformed text is expected to receive the vote of the majority of the representatives. According to the Democratic majority leader in the House, the vote could be taken as early as next Tuesday.

Among the Republicans who voted against the bill was the speaker candidate, and then Republican Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy. Also the House of Representatives Minority Whip, Steve Scalise. In any case, the direction the GOP has given to Republican representatives is to vote their conscience.

Obergefell v. Hodges

This federal-level legislation is part of the Democratic response to the Supreme Court decision of Dobbs v. Jackson, which brought an end to Roe v. Wade. This decision affects a different issue, such as the right to perform an abortion. But in a concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas noted that the Court should consider the decision Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized gay marriage nationwide.

35 states have approved same-sex marriage. The first was in Massachusetts in May 2014, and the latest has been Florida in January 2015.