Senator’s bipartisan legislation – soon to be passed into law – ensures marriage protections for all couples and protects and respects religious liberties
Senator worked with religious groups, LGBTQ advocates, business groups, and local leaders to shape this historic, bipartisan legislation
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act passed the U.S. Senate, earning a strong bipartisan majority of 61-36. Sinema’s bipartisan legislation ensures same-sex couples are afforded the same protections as all marriages and protects and respects religious liberties.
The bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act now heads to the U.S. House for a final vote and then to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
“Senate-passage of our bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act demonstrates how far we’ve come in bridging divides, while respecting sincere and honestly held beliefs. I’m proud of our diverse coalition of bipartisan colleagues, religious groups, LGBTQ advocates, and local leaders supporting our historic legislation ensuring that all marriages are protected under the law,” said Sinema.
Earlier this month, ahead of Senate-passage of the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, Sinema delivered a Senate Floor speech. Click HERE to watch.
Sinema’s bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act requires the federal government to recognize a marriage between two individuals if the marriage was valid in the state it was performed. Additionally, Sinema’s bipartisan legislation guarantees that valid marriages between two individuals are given full faith and credit, regardless of the couple’s sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin. The bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act protects all religious liberty and conscience protections available under the Constitution or federal law. Click HERE for a one-page summary of Sinema’s bill and HERE for the full text.
Sinema partnered with U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) to earn strong bipartisan support for the Respect for Marriage Act. Sinema built a diverse and inclusive coalition of religious groups – notably, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – business groups, LGBTQ advocates, and other partners to earn support.
In 2006, Sinema led the effort to successfully defeat Proposition 107, which would have banned same-sex marriages in Arizona and negatively impacted unmarried couples, common law marriages, and domestic partnerships. This was the first successful defeat of a ballot proposition involving LGBTQ rights in the nation.