Senate Rejects Anti-LGBTQ Marriage Amendment

Via earlier press release from Sen. Mike Lee:

My simple, common-sense amendment would prohibit the federal government from retaliating against any person or group for adhering to sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions about marriage.

In no way would my amendment impair the RFMA’s ability to perform its simple, stated purpose: to protect same-sex marriage against an extremely unlikely scenario in which the Supreme Court one day decides to overturn Obergefell.

My amendment adds protections without creating the type of zero-sum dynamic—a virtual tug-of-war between same-sex marriage and religious freedom—that would surely follow from the bill’s passage in its current form.

Under the RFMA’s current language, many religious schools, faith-based organizations, and other non-profit entities adhering to traditional views of marriage would be at risk of losing tax-exempt status and access to a wide range of federal programs.

Many small businesses would also be affected. For example, wedding vendors (including kosher caterers) would be subjected to endless lawsuits and harassment based solely on their beliefs.

Voting on other amendments is continuing in the live video thread in our earlier post.

48-49: Senate defeats Utah GOP Senator Mike Lee’s religious protections amendment to the marriage equality bill. 60 votes were needed. pic.twitter.com/OHaOp7sW7m

— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) November 29, 2022