TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Nov 30, 2022

The U.S. Senate yesterday passed legislation codifying federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages, The Hill reports. The “Respect for Marriage Act” was approved 61-36, with 12 Republicans joining forces with all Democrats present to send the bill back to the House of Representatives. The House previously had passed similar legislation, but the Senate added language to protect nonprofit religious organizations from having to provide services in support of same-sex marriages. The new language also ensures the federal government does not recognize polygamous marriage. Both of Tennessee's senators voted against the bill, the Times Free Press reports.