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Floor Speech
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Ms. BALDWIN. Senator Lankford's amendment would eliminate the only practical recourse for same-sex and interracial couples to protect their marriages under the Respect for Marriage Act. It would create an exemption far beyond current law for partnerships between government and faith-based organizations, the latter of which continue to enjoy robust religious liberty and conscience protections that remain intact under the Respect for Marriage Act.
This amendment would upend a carefully negotiated, bipartisan compromise that protects the interests of religious organizations and individuals while affording the dignity of marriage recognition to same-sex and interracial couples. I urge my colleagues to vote no.
I yield back. Vote on Amendment No. 6496
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Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I want to express, as did my colleague Senator Collins, that there are many thanks to go around. I thank the leader. I want to thank the original bill sponsors in the House and Senate--Congressman Nadler and Senator Feinstein--and the team of Senators Collins, Portman, Sinema, and Tillis for your unrelenting commitment that has brought us to this final vote to pass the Respect for Marriage Act.
I want to thank the advocates who have been fighting for marriage equality for decades, and I want to recognize the millions of same-sex and interracial couples who have truly made this moment possible by living their true selves and changing the hearts and minds of people around this country.
Many of these same-sex and interracial couples are fearful. They are worried that the rights, responsibilities, and freedoms they enjoy through civil marriage could be stripped away. Right now, the Senate has the opportunity to put those fears to rest and give millions of people in same-sex and interracial marriages the certainty, dignity, and respect they need and deserve. By passing this bill, we are showing that the American Government and people see them and respect them.
I encourage all my colleagues to vote yes on the Respect for Marriage Act and move our country forward.
I yield to our leader.
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