MIDTERM MEMO: Senate GOP support for same-sex marriage bill could deny Democrats a wedge issue
by David M. Drucker, Senior Political Correspondent |
| July 21, 2022 06:00 AM
Senate Republicans may yet sink House-passed legislation that would essentially codify federal same-sex marriage rights granted by the Supreme Court in 2015.
But that was far from certain Wednesday as the Senate began informally considering the Respect for Marriage Act, which cleared the House 24 hours earlier with unanimous Democratic support and 47 out of 204 available Republican votes. There immediately appeared to be four GOP votes for the bill, while several other Senate Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, were noncommittal. In other words, it’s quite possible the 10 Republican votes needed to break a filibuster and send the legislation to President Joe Biden’s desk could materialize.
Partisans will decide if the Republican Party’s softening opposition to same-sex marriage is worth cheering about — a conclusion that no doubt depends on what happens in the Senate in the ensuing days. Already, some House Republicans who voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act are coming under fire at home from social conservatives who wield influence inside the GOP.
“Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected the truth that marriage is between one man and one woman. Especially disappointing, three of Iowa’s representatives … voted to redefine marriage,” read a statement from The Family Leader, a conservative group in the Hawkeye State whose endorsement in quadrennial GOP presidential caucuses is much sought after. “We urge Senators Grassley and Ernst to oppose the redefinition of marriage.”
So, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who is up for reelection this year, and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) are both under pressure to oppose legislation that would require all states to recognize same-sex marriages. Nonetheless, Ernst told Huffington Post’s Igor Bobic she is “keeping an open mind,” adding: “I have a good number of very close friends that are same-sex married.” Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson are the two House Republicans from Iowa who voted for the Respect for Marriage Act on Tuesday. Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA) also voted yes; Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) voted no. In a tweet, Hinson said it was time for Democrats to move on and focus on the issues most important to midterm election voters.
more
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/midterm-memo-senate-gop-support-for-same-sex-marriage-bill-could-deny-democrats-a-wedge-issue
