TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

U.S. House Votes to Codify Same-Sex, Interracial Marriages

Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jul 20, 2022

The U.S. House of Representatives voted yesterday to codify the right to same-sex and interracial marriages in federal law, Tennessee Lookout reports. The Respect for Marriage Act would require state governments to recognize marriages from other states regardless of the sex, race, ethnicity or national origin of those involved. The 267-157 bipartisan vote stemmed from concerns that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last month overturning the constitutional right to an abortion may impact other protections previously upheld by the court. Those opposed to the legislation cited Justice Samuel Alito’s pledge that nothing in the abortion decision “should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion.” Supporters cited Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion that the court should reconsider cases dealing with contraceptives, same-sex marriages and private consensual sexual relationships. On Thursday, the House is expected to take up a bill that would codify the use of contraception.

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