Senate Democrats Try To Avoid GOP Filibuster On Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D- New York) announced that the Senate will hold a vote on a bill aimed at codifying same-sex marriage before the midterm elections.

A bipartisan effort from Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) has the goal of gaining 10 Republican votes to avoid the filibuster in the evenly split upper chamber.

“We are listening carefully to the concerns that have been raised by some of our colleagues,” Collins said on Wednesday. “And we’re looking at an amendment that would strengthen the language in the bill to make crystal clear that it does not in any way infringe upon religious liberty. And it also would correct a drafting error.”

The amendment the senators are looking at would clarify that the bill would not impact a 1993 religious freedom law.

Collins added that the process of getting the bill on the floor could begin as early as next week, but will likely be the following week.

In late July, 47 House Republicans joined Democrats in passing the legislation after Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Justice Clarence Thomas added a concurring opinion questioning other rights. It would be a huge loss for the Democrats if the bipartisan effort fails to sway the opinion of 10 Republicans to meet the 60-vote threshold needed.

Currently, only three Senate Republicans, Sens. Rob Portman (Ohio), Thom Tillis (North Carolina) and Collins, have said they will vote for the bill. Moderate Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) has also expressed support but has not yet indicated if she is planning on voting in favor of it.