The U.S. House on Tuesday approved a bill to protect marriage equality nationwide, and voting in support was Congressman Fred Upton. The Respect for Marriage Act states a marriage is considered valid under federal law if it was legal in the state where it was performed. Upton told WSJM News ahead of the vote where he would stand.
“I’m going to vote to allow gay marriages to take place,” Upton said. “We’ve had this for seven years. Every state has had it, and at this point, it should not be discriminated against. So, I’m going to support that issue.”
Upton says the Supreme Court ruled in 2015 same sex marriages are legal, but there is now a fear the court will take away that right. That’s after the court reversed itself and ended abortion rights. The Respect for Marriage Act prohibits discrimination against marriages on the basis of on sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin in any state if they were performed in a state where they are legal. Upton expected all House Democrats to support the bill, along with “a significant number” of Republicans. The bill had the votes of 47 Republicans.
