WASHINGTON D.C. (WTAQ-WRN) – A bill U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin co-sponsored to protect same-sex and interracial marriage cleared a key procedural vote on Wednesday.
Twelve Republicans joined Democrats as the Senate voted 62-37 to advance the bill to a final vote. Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson was among those voting no. He called the bill unnecessary.
The Respect for Marriage Act would require that individuals be considered married if the marriage was valid in the state it was performed in, a measure that also aims to protect interracial couples. It also would add other legal protections for married couples.
If it clears the Senate, the House would need to approve the Senate version before sending it to President Biden’s desk. The House passed a similar bill over the summer.
