The Senate voted on a motion to proceed to the Respect for Marriage Act. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) voted against the motion and issued the statement below:
“I voted against the motion to proceed to the “Respect for Marriage Act” because the religious liberty protections were severely anemic and largely illusory. While I respect the efforts and emotions surrounding this issue, the bill does not simply codify Obergefell as its proponents claim. And despite the proposed amendment from Senators Collins and Baldwin, the religious-liberty protections are woefully insufficient. Religious Americans will be subject to potentially ruinous litigation, while the tax-exempt status of certain charitable organizations, educational institutions, and non-profits will be threatened. My amendment would have shored up these vulnerabilities. It is a shame it wasn’t included.”
