HYDE-SMITH VOTES AGAINST DEMS’ SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today voted against a Democrat same-sex marriage bill, which she deemed as unnecessary and a threat to religious freedoms.
Hyde-Smith opposed the Respect for Marriage Act (HR.8404), which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and any rule or regulation that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 deemed the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.
“The measure presented to the Senate does not sufficiently protect the religious liberties and First Amendment rights of individuals, businesses, and religious-oriented schools and organizations that believe in the traditional definition of marriage,” Hyde-Smith said. “I cannot dismiss or overlook the willingness of this administration to infringe on religious liberties and other rights that don’t mesh with its radical agenda.”
The Senate voted 62-37 to proceed to a debate on HR.8404, which passed the House of Representatives on July 19 on a 267-157 vote.
Despite efforts by supporters to amend the measure to address religious liberty protections, the legislation continues to be opposed by, among others, the Concerned Women for America, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Faith and Freedom Coalition, Family Research Council, Heritage Action, Lifeline Children Services, Religious Freedom Institute, and U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
In the 117th Congress, Hyde-Smith has cosponsored bills to protect religious liberties, including the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act, Conscience Protection Act of 2021, Prohibiting Religious Exemption and Accommodations Databases Act, and Lifting Local Communities Act. The Senator also joined the fight against a 2021 Democrat plan to impose new tax penalties that would discourage marriage.
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