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Question
Who does the bill protect, and why is it important?
Answer
The bill protects the rights of married same-sex and interracial couples to have their marriage legally recognized and protected by federal and state law, regardless of the state's view on marriage. It also ensures these couples maintain access to the practical and emotional benefits of being married — like survivor benefits, citizenship rights, eligibility for adoption, and so much more.
Question
Can you tell me a little more about the bill, and what’s next?
Answer
The Bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act passed in The House of Representatives on July 19th, 2022 with a 267-157 vote. It garnered 47 Republican votes in the process and demonstrated the widespread and bipartisan support for marriage equality. The Respect for Marriage Act effectively repeals the 1996 anti-LGBTQ+ Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and backstops the Supreme Court rulings in United States v. Windsor (2013) and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) should either be attempted to be overturned. If codified by the Senate, this legislation would guarantee the federal rights, benefits, and obligations of marriages in the federal code; repeal the discriminatory DOMA; and affirm that public acts, records and proceedings should be recognized by all states. The Senate has a 60-vote requirement to get a bill to a vote. Once the bill is up for vote, a simple majority must vote "yes" in order for it to pass. If the Senate does not take the bill to a vote before the Midterms, the bill will be voided.
Question
Why is this important to Zola?
Answer
At Zola, we’re proud to have helped over two million beautiful and diverse couples get married the way they want, with the love and respect they deserve. Now, we’re going further, with a formal invitation to the U.S. Senate to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, codifying marriage equality for all, in the form of a full page ad in the Washington Post. We’re also sending every Senator who's on the fence a physical invite in the mail to remind them what marriage really means and what’s at stake. And, in lieu of a traditional gift, we’ll be making a donation to the ACLU Foundation in support of the millions of couples who deserve for their right to marriage to be protected. And we’re just getting started.