Senate Advances Historic Bill to Protect Same-sex Marriage 美護同婚法案送參院 他州合法同婚須採認

The U.S. Senate has voted 62-37 to advance a bill that would enshrine federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages. Meanwhile, the GOP has won 218 seats in the House of Representatives. 

“The yeas are 62, the nays are 37. Three-fifths of senators dully chosen and sworn having voted in the affirmative. The motion is agreed to. ”The U.S. Senate on the 16th voted to advance a bill protecting federal recognition of same-sex marriage. The bill would require the federal government to recognize any marriage that is legal in the state in which it was performed.

Charles Schumer, US Senate Majority Leader: “The Senate is taking a truly bold step forward in the march towards greater justice, greater equality by advancing the Respect for Marriage Act. It's a simple, narrowly tailored but exceedingly important piece of legislation that will do so much good for so many Americans.”

The bill was supported by 50 Democrats and 12 Republican senators. CNN reported that this shows that same-sex marriage issues have gained huge support in recent years.

Thom Tillis, North Carolina Senator (Republican): “Same-sex couples will continue to have the right to get married now without the fear of government intervention. And churches and religious organizations will continue to operate and worship free from government interference. This is a good compromise. ”

The Democratic Party hopes to pass the bill this Thursday, so that the bill can be sent to the House of Representatives for another vote before the end of the year because the new U.S. Congress will take office on Jan. 3, 2023. It has been confirmed the Republican Party has successfully won more than half of the House seats and will gain majority in the chamber. 

Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Congressional Correspondent: “What they promise is largely a series of investigations into President Joe Biden, his family, and his Administration. Republicans didn't necessarily run on a unified agenda of what they would bring to Washington. They want to fight inflation. They want to investigate the COVID-19 crisis. ”

Republicans won control of the U.S. House, while Democrats kept the Senate. Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy, who is expected to take over as Speaker of the House, said that after regaining control of Congress, he will focus on the three major issues of fighting inflation, crime, and border security. 

「贊成62票、反對37票，五分之三的參議員投下贊成票，此動議通過。」美國聯邦參議院16日通過動議，將一項保護同婚法案送入議程。此法案雖然不會規定各州使同婚合法，但將要求各州承認其他州的合法同婚。

參院多數黨領袖舒默說道：「參院正在推動通過保護同婚法案，朝著更卓越的正義、平等，邁出真正大膽的一步。這是一項簡單，針對性強，但極其重要的立法，它將對許多美國人有裨益。」

這個法案獲得50位民主黨籍和12位共和黨籍參議員支持，CNN報導指出，這顯示同婚議題，近年來獲得巨大的支持。

北卡州共和黨籍參議員堤里斯指出：「同性伴侶將繼續享有結婚的權利，現在無須擔心政府干預，教堂和宗教團體，將在不受政府干預下，運作與進行禮拜，這是一個很棒的妥協。」

民主黨希望本週四就能通過這項法案，好讓這項法案在年底前，送進眾院再次表決。因為美國新一屆國會，2023年1月3日即將就職，共和黨在16日順利取得過半的第218席，贏得眾議院多數黨地位。

美聯社國會記者瑪絲卡洛指出：「他們承諾的主要是對拜登總統和他的家人 政府進行一系列調查，共和黨人未必會照著統一的議程，對華府進行調查，他們得對抗通膨，他們還想調查新冠疫情。」

共和黨拿下眾院，民主黨保住參院，美期中選舉後國會確定分裂；共和黨議員將有多數傳喚權及掌控眾院轄下各大委員會的權力。有望接任眾院議長的共和黨領袖麥卡錫表示，重掌國會後將聚焦對抗通膨、犯罪、邊境安全等3大議題，但也未排除啟動彈劾程序。