Twelve Republican Senators Have Joined Democrats In Advancing Legislation To Legalize Same-sex Marriage

Twelve Republican senators have joined Democrats in pushing for same-sex marriage legislation.

On Wednesday, a dozen Republican Senators joined Democrats in voting to forward legislation that would make same-sex marriage legal in the United States.

According to The Blaze, the US Senate advanced the Respect for Marriage Act by a vote of 62-37 on Wednesday.

The following Republican Senators sided with their Democratic colleagues:

Dan Sullivan (AK)

Lisa Murkowski (AK)

Joni Ernst (IA)

Todd Young (IN)

Susan Collins (ME)

Roy Blunt (MO)

Richard M. Burr (NC)

Thom Tillis (NC)

Rob Portman (OH)

Mitt Romney (UT)

Shelley Moore Capito (WV)

Cynthia Lummis (WY)

The bill was earlier approved by the House by a vote of 267-157 in July, with 47 Republicans voting in favor. If signed, the bill will repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and make same-sex and multiracial marriages legal in the United States.

However, before the law can reach President Joe Biden’s desk, it must be formally approved by the Senate and sent back to the House for modification approval.

While Romney personally opposes same-sex marriage, he clarified that he supported the bill because of legal principles.

“While I believe in traditional marriage, Obergefell is and has been the law of the land upon which LGBTQ individuals have relied,” Romney said in a statement. “This legislation provides certainty to many LGBTQ Americans, and it signals that Congress – and I – esteem and love all of our fellow Americans equally.”

The bill also includes “essential protections for religious liberty—provisions that are especially critical to defend the religious freedoms of our faith-based institutions,” according to the Utah senator.

“I applaud Senators Baldwin, Collins, and others’ efforts to address this matter and wholeheartedly endorse their measure,” he continued.

Collins stated in her statement that she supports the bill because it prevents discrimination while increasing religious liberty protections.

“On an individual and cultural level, this bill recognizes the unique and remarkable importance of marriage,” Collins said. “It would aid in the promotion of equality, the prevention of discrimination, and the protection of the rights of Americans in same-sex and multiracial marriages.” It would achieve these objectives while preserving, if not increasing, fundamental religious liberty and conscience protections.