Christine (00:00):
And from the house to the Senate now, the U.S one step closer to providing firm protections for gay marriage.
Maurice (00:06):
A vote tonight had bipartisan support and CBS who’s Dick Brennan here now with more on this. Dick.
Dick Brennan (00:10):
Well, Maurice and Christine, in 2015, the U.S Supreme Court upheld the right to gay marriage, but the recent ruling overturning abortion rights raised questions about whether gay marriage could also be reversed. So now a procedural vote moves this legislation forward.
Speaker 4 (00:27):
The motion is agreed to.
Dick Brennan (00:29):
To the Senate advanced the respect for Marriage Act by a vote of 62 to 37, 12 Republicans voting with Democrats, and now Congress has poised to pass the measure.
Speaker 5 (00:38):
Today, the Senate lived up to the highest of its ideals by taking up legislation that would protect the rights of all Americans, regardless of who they choose to marry.
Dick Brennan (00:49):
The bill already passed the house and now there will be 30 hours of debate before a final passage vote in the Senate.
Brandon Leveck (00:55):
So when I hear news like the announcement that came out today, I feel a lot more hopeful about the direction in which we’re going as a country.
Dick Brennan (01:04):
Brandon Leveck was married in May. He says today’s move by the Senate makes him feel his marriage is being legitimized.
Brandon Leveck (01:11):
I don’t have to worry about that right being taken away from me. So there’s a sense of not only feeling happy and positive about the direction in which things are going but also a little more secure in my relationship.
Dick Brennan (01:23):
The Senate moved to take up the bill in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In that decision, Justice Clarence Thomas hinted that the ruling that upheld gay marriage in 2015 could be revisited and perhaps overturned.
Speaker 5 (01:36):
The reason Clarence Thomas could hint at it on this issue on abortion is there was no national law protecting, in this case, the right to marriage. Once there’s a national law protecting it, the Supreme Court can’t undo it.
Dick Brennan (01:50):
Now, Senator Schumer had agreed to postpone a vote on this legislation until after the midterm elections. That’s because some Republicans worried it would endanger religious freedom. After the Senate passes, the bill is expected it will need to go back to the house for consideration before it goes to the White House with the president’s signature. Maurice.
Maurice (02:07):
Okay, Dick, thank you.