SW News: The Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA) was approved by the US Senate on Tuesday, bringing it back to the House for one last vote before being sent to the president.
Catholic leaders have criticized the law for not offering strong enough legal protections for people who think marriage should only be between one man and one woman, as the Catholic Church teaches.
The current plan would oblige states to recognize all marriages, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin, that were contracted in other jurisdictions, but it would not require any state to permit same-sex weddings.
The Defense of Marriage Act from 1996 would be repealed if the law was to succeed, and it would also establish federal recognition of same-sex unions. The bill returned to the Democratic-controlled House after passing the Senate on November 29 by a vote of 61-36. It then travels from the House to President Joe Biden's desk for his promised signing.
Ten years ago, Biden expressed support for same-sex unions, going against what his Catholic faith teaches.
In order to guarantee that nonprofit religious groups won't be obliged to offer services, facilities, or merchandise for the celebration of same-sex marriage, the bill's final form includes a bipartisan amendment. Additionally, it makes it plain that the measure does not give the federal government the right to recognize polygamous marriage and gives individual conscience protections to the degree permitted by the Constitution and federal law.
Prior to the November 29 vote, Utah Senator Mike Lee urged the 12 Republican senators who supported the RFMA to approve his proposed amendment, which would provide clear safeguards for those who think marriage should only be between one man and one woman. Unless the bill specifically provides protections for people who subscribe to a conventional view of marriage and not just the potential of a defense in court, Lee had warned that the RFMA will result in greater litigation against those who do.
Lee's amendment was defeated by a vote of 48-49 on November 29.
Cardinal Timothy M Dolan of New York, chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee for Religious Liberty, and Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth, issued a joint letter and analysis urging Congress to oppose the measure.
 “If passed, the amended Act will put the ministries of the Catholic Church, people of faith, and other Americans who uphold a traditional meaning of marriage at greater risk of government discrimination. This bill is needless and harmful and must be voted down. At the same time, Congress, and our nation as a whole, must resolve to foster a culture where every individual, as a child of God, is treated with respect and compassion.”