Eagle Forum Denounces Senate Vote on So-called Respect for Marriage Act

Eagle Forum President Kristen A. Ullman, released the following statement following the passage of the so-called Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA), H.R. 8404, as amended, in the U.S. Senate by a vote of 61-36:

“Tonight, the United States Senate, after acknowledging the very real threat to religious Americans and faith-based organizations, chose to pass unnecessary and overbroad legislation that changes nothing for homosexual couples but puts the Constitutional freedoms of every American at grave risk.

The Supreme Court determined that same-sex couples have a right to marry in its Obergefell decision.  No case has been brought to challenge this right, but numerous cases have been filed against individuals and organizations who have deeply held religious beliefs that prevent them from participating in non-traditional wedding ceremonies. The Senate had an opportunity today to add protections for faithful Americans but rejected even the mildest safeguards.

For example, an amendment offered by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) would have prohibited the government from punishing individuals, organizations, nonprofits, and other entities because of their sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions about marriage by prohibiting the denial or revocation of tax-exempt status, licenses, contracts, and benefits.  Those who voted against this amendment and supported final passage should be presumed to support such discrimination against believers.

Eagle Forum members know that the Constitution protects individuals’ rights to act according to their faith and deepest convictions even outside of their church or home.  Tonight, the United States Senate failed to protect this fundamental right.”

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Eagle Forum was founded by Phyllis Schlafly, a dynamic and charismatic leader who inspired countless women and men to participate in the process of self-government and public policy-making so that America will continue to be a land of individual liberty, with respect for the nuclear family, public and private virtue, and private enterprise. For nearly fifty years, Eagle Forum’s network of state organizations has led the charge to mobilize the grassroots to defend the founding principles of the United States.