Take Action: Tell the Senate to Pass the Respect for Marriage Act
Today the U.S. Senate is set to take a critical vote on the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would protect the freedom to marry for same-sex couples and interracial couples at the federal level. Given Justice Clarence Thomas' opinion suggesting the Supreme Court revisit the 2015 marriage ruling – and SC Gov. McMaster's statement opposing marriage for same-sex couples – passing this bill is urgently important.
The Respect for Marriage Act would fully repeal the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act,” require the federal government to respect marriages between same-sex couples and interracial couples for all federal purposes, and require states to respect marriages performed in other states. That is, if Obergefell were ever overturned, married same-sex couples in South Carolina would still be respected by the state and federal government for all legal purposes – and if SC were to roll back marriage rights, the state would be required to respect all marriages performed legally in other states (without the Respect for Marriage Act, SC would be permitted to ignore marriages).
This bill provides crucial clarity and security for same-sex couples in South Carolina and nationwide – and we need to see it pass. Can you take action with SC United for Justice & Equality? Click here to urge our Senators to vote YES.
A bipartisan supermajority of Americans support the freedom to marry, including majority support in South Carolina. This summer, when the House of Representatives voted on the bill, 47 Republicans joined with every Democrat in favor. This included two Republican Congressmembers from South Carolina – Rep. Nancy Mace and Rep. Tom Rice.