Senate GOP Threatens Filibuster on Gay Marriage Bill

WASHINGTON D.C. — (09-12-22) — Senate GOP members are threatening to filibuster the same-sex marriage bill that received nearly 50 House Republican votes. Now that the first ever same-sex marriage bill is coming up for a vote, Senate GOP members are threatening to filibuster it unless the bill addresses religious liberty.

While proponents publicly say they’re optimistic the bill will get the 10 GOP votes needed during a floor vote expected the week of Sept. 19, senators and aides say many Republicans may wait until the last minute to decide on their vote.

Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) are drafting an amendment aimed at satisfying conservative concerns that the same-sex marriage bill which backed in its current form by two members of the House GOP leadership, risks infringing on religious freedom.

Baldwin and Collins’ amendment seeks to clarify that the bill leaves intact the protections of a 1993 religious freedom law initially sponsored by now-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. As Baldwin put it on Thursday, the amendment simply “confirms the status quo remains.”

That may not be enough for most Senate Republicans, who are expected to have a competing amendment on religious exemptions to same-sex marriage protections courtesy of Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).

In fact as of this date there are only three GOP senators who are firmly backing the same-sex marriage bill.

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer

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