A bill that would provide federal protection to same-sex marriages cleared a crucial hurdle in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday. Twelve Republican senators voted to advance the bill—enough to remove the possibility of a filibuster.
The 62–37 vote sets up the Respect for Marriage Act to easily pass the Senate in the coming days, likely ensuring that the bill will make it to President Joe Biden's desk before the end of the lame-duck session and before Republicans take control of the House of Representatives in January. The bill passed the House in July with broad bipartisan support.
