On Tuesday, the Senate passed the Respect for Marriage Act with bipartisan support, codifying equality in federal law protecting gay marriage.
Twelve Republican Senators joined with the Democrats to help make this act fly through without a filibuster.
The Respect for Marriage Act would not force states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples but would require that people be considered married in any state as long as the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed. The bill also would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman and allowed states to decline to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
Sen. Marco Rubio has been an advocate against this Marriage Act, claiming it was a "waste of time" back in July.
Even though the bill does have religious liberties embedded into it, Rubio is still upset.
Republicans are using religion as a cudgel against civil rights protections for all Americans.
Rubio put out a statement last week that lies about the contents of the Act.
“This bill does not protect religious liberty. Nuns running orphanages will find themselves in court if it becomes law. That’s outrageous. No faith-based organization will be immune from the insanity. Christian. Jewish. Muslim. Everyone. Removing this private right of action is the only way to truly protect people and organizations of faith.” – Senator Rubio
Since he lost, Rubio's response was this.
