House passes bill to protect same-sex, interracial marriage

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Democrat-led House passed a bill to protect same-sex and interracial marriages.

The next phase is having the nearly-equally divided Senate pass this.

The ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ would make same-sex and interracial marriages have the same authority as heterosexual marriages at the federal level.

The bill repeals provisions that do not require states to recognize same-sex marriages.

The bill was introduced by Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

One local, Linny Voelker, says the government needs to leave people alone and let them be who they want to be.

“You can’t help who you fall in love with whether you’re gay, straight, black or white," said Voelker.

A 50 republican to 48 democratic divided senate party with two independents could mean the bill stops there.

But if passed, the bill would create additional legal protections for married couples to prevent discrimination whether based on sex, race, ethnicity and more.

To pass in the Senate would mean 10 Republican Senators would have to join all Democrats to break a filibuster.

Another local, Jacqueline Garcia, believes that although this doesn’t affect her personally people should be able to do what they please.

“I believe it should be into law because I believe everybody is equal and everybody should have a right to what they say. Love who you love," said Garica.

A few GOP senators are showing their support to codify same-sex and interracial marriages.

Because Roe v. Wade was overturned, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said all landmark rulings should be re-considered.

Leaving many worried that more of their fundamental rights could be taken away.