Baldwin-Collins Marriage Equality Bill Heading to President’s Desk to be Signed into Law

Senator Collins to deliver remarks at enrollment ceremony hosted by Speaker Pelosi at 11:30AM (watch live HERE)

Washington, D.C.—Today by a vote of 258-169, the House passed the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that will prevent discrimination, promote equality, and protect the rights of all Americans.  The bill passed the Senate last week by a vote of 61-36.

U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) led the push to enshrine marriage equality in federal law, and last month they co-authored an amendment with Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to add protections for religious liberties.

Following the House’s vote today, Senators Baldwin, Collins, Portman, Sinema, and Tillis released this statement:

“We are thrilled that the Respect for Marriage Act passed both the Senate and the House with robust bipartisan support.  This commonsense legislation provides certainty to millions of loving couples in same-sex and interracial marriages, who will continue to enjoy the freedoms, rights, and responsibilities afforded to all other marriages.  At the same time, our legislation fully respects and protects religious liberty and diverse beliefs about marriage.  This is an important and historic step forward in ensuring dignity and respect for all Americans.”

At the invitation of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senator Collins will deliver remarks at the enrollment ceremony in the U.S. Capitol at 11:30AM (watch live HERE).  Following the enrollment ceremony, the Respect for Marriage Act will be sent to the President’s Desk to be signed into law.