Respect for Marriage Act clears Congress: IU experts can comment
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The U.S. House of Representatives gave final approval Thursday to the Respect for Marriage Act — legislation that mandates federal recognition for same-sex marriages. With a bipartisan vote of 258-169, the landmark legislation is on its way to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.
A push to pass federal legislation protecting same-sex marriage came after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade in June, and Justice Clarance Thomas suggested that there is no right to privacy enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
IU experts in constitutional law, LGBTQ rights and public opinion of same-sex marriage are available to comment.
For more information, contact Marah Yankey at mqharbis@iu.edu or 812-856-1442.
Brian Powell
Department of SociologyBrian Powell is the lead author of the book “Counted Out: Same-Sex Relations and Americans’ Definitions of Family,” which documented the transformation in how Americans define family and, in turn, their views regarding same-sex families.
Expertise
Family; same-sex relations; public opinion; policies regarding sexual minorities, e.g., LGBT; interracial marriage; higher education.
Steve Sanders
Maurer School of LawSteve Sanders is professor of law and Val Nolan Faculty Fellow at the IU Maurer School of Law. He is an expert on the U.S. Supreme Court and can provide insights into to why the justices ruled as they did in this case.
Expertise
Constitutional law, U.S. Supreme Court, same-sex marriage, LGBT legal and political issues, equal protection, 14th Amendment, family law.
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