WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2015 (LifeSiteNews.com) — The Republican Party's platform formally supports natural marriage. But in what may be a sign of the times, the GOP-controlled Senate has approved a non-binding resolution in support of granting marriage benefits to couples who have contracted same-sex “marriages.”
The resolution asked the Senate's budget negotiators to make sure that “all legally married same-sex spouses have equal access to the Social Security and veterans' benefits they have earned and receive equal treatment under the law pursuant to the Constitution.”
Approved by a voice vote, the resolution received no opposition by any senators, nor a request from senators to put the resolution to a roll call vote — even from the three Republican senators who are candidates for U.S. president, and who oppose same-sex “marriage.”
The constitutionality of same-sex “marriage” has not been declared in the United States, though some federal judges and politicians have argued that a right to such unions exists in the Constitution. The Supreme Court will hear what may be the definitive case on the matter on April 28, with a decision expected this summer.
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Public opinion polls show that Americans generally support redefining marriage, with approximately 55 percent in favor. Those numbers are higher among younger voters, though nearly three-quarters of Republicans oppose same-sex “marriage.”
This isn't the first time Republican senators have supported expanding federal marriage benefits to include same-sex couples. Several weeks ago, a number of senators voted for the same resolution, which passed 57-43. However, given the more conservative majority in the House, the measure is unlikely to be included in the conference budget bill.
Senators who went on the record in support of the resolution weeks ago include Sens. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Richard Burr off North Carolina, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Susan Collins of Maine, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Dean Heller of Nevada, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mark S. Kirk of Illinois, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Ohio, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
POLITICO notes that electoral politics may have played a role in the votes by Ayotte, Kirk, and Johnson, all of whom face tough re-election campaigns next year.
Portman supported same-sex “marriage” after his son announced he was homosexual.
