American Family Association Action (AFA Action), is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to advancing biblical, family values in society and government by educating and influencing public policy. AFA Action is also the Governmental Affairs Affiliate of American Family Association (AFA).
The so-called Respect for Marriage Act would give formal federal protection to same-sex marriage, making it virtually impossible to reverse the 2015 Obergefell Supreme Court decision. Even worse, the bill could easily be used by the IRS as an excuse to revoke the non-profit status of Christian schools, universities and pro-family groups like American Family Association.
The Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404) was introduced on July 18, 2022. It passed the House three days later. The vote in the House wasn’t even close!
H.R. 8404 passed 267 to 157. This means 47 Republicans voted for it in the U.S. House.
The most recent Republican Party Platform declares:
Foremost among those institutions is the American family. It is the foundation of civil society, and the cornerstone of the family is natural marriage, the union of one man and one woman. Its daily lessons — cooperation, patience, mutual respect, responsibility, self-reliance — are fundamental to the order and progress of our Republic.
Despite the GOP’s strong position in support of traditional, biblical marriage, several Republican senators are not practicing what the Party preaches.
Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio is a Yes. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina is a likely ‘Yes,’ saying he “probably will” vote for the bill. Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin is a very likely vote, saying, “I see no reason to oppose it.” Even Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi only says: “I’d probably be a no.”
The legislation has been fast-tracked in the U.S. Senate. There will be no committee hearings, and the bill could come to the floor at any time.
That’s why it’s so important for you to contact your U.S. Senator today.
So far, Republican opposition to the bill has been weak. Some, like Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, call H.R. 8404 a “stupid waste of time.” (True … but it’s also dangerous and evil.) Others, like Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, seem OK with it. Tuberville commented: “I think people ought to have freedom to do what they want. It’s a free country.” Even Texas Senator Ted Cruz reportedly refrained from confirming his No vote, saying instead: “I support the Constitution and letting the democratic process operate.”
This vote was way too close in the House. And it will be close in the Senate – unless your U.S. Senator hears from you.
Republicans are saying yes to the radical, sexual deviancy agenda and supporting a House bill that would provide federal protection to same-sex “marriage.” By giving same-sex marriage “full faith and credit” recognition in federal law, the bill would also allow any one state legislature or state court to impose its own definition of marriage on any other, so long as that definition allows gay marriage. This means that even if Obergefell were reversed, as it should be, any one state could stop the other 35 states that oppose same-sex marriage from reinstituting the traditional and historic definition of marriage.
On top of that, the bill would expose opponents of same-sex marriage to private lawsuits, as well as civil prosecution by the U.S. Department of Justice. If passed, it could even be used by the IRS to shut down Christian nonprofit organizations that uphold the biblical definition of one man/one woman marriage.
H.R. 8404 is dangerous. It’s evil. It’s about silencing any dialogue, much less legislative debate, about the constitutionality of same-sex marriage – and in doing so, it could deprive millions of Americans of their real constitutional rights to free speech and freedom of religion.
AFA Action is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to advancing biblical, family values in society and government by educating and influencing public policy. AFA Action is also the Governmental Affairs Affiliate of American Family Association.