U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday welcomed the passage of a bill to federally safeguard same-sex unions.
«Today, Congress has taken a fundamental step to ensure that Americans have the right to marry the person they love,» said the U.S. president in a White House statement.
Biden, who highlighted the consensus among lawmakers after being approved by 258 votes in favor and 169 against, said that this bill «will give peace of mind to millions of LGBT and interracial couples who are now guaranteed the rights (…) that they are entitled to».
Thus, he pointed out that this measure gives «some security» and provides hope and dignity «knowing that his government will recognize and respect the families they build».
«We are one step closer in our journey to build a more perfect union. We will never stop fighting for equality for LGBTQI+ people and all Americans,» he has indicated after thanking the law’s supporters, «who refused to be deterred.
With this vote, Biden believes that it has been demonstrated that «it is possible for Democrats and Republicans to come together to safeguard» fundamental rights.
Several dozen Republican members of Congress cast their votes after they secured an additional amendment that gives religious organizations some leeway. This amendment removes obligations on religious organizations to provide services that support same-sex marriage and ensures that the federal government does not recognize polygamous marriage.
It should be recalled, according to ‘The Hill’, that the measure was already approved last week in the Senate by a vote of 61 to 36 after months of negotiations, with the support of 12 Republican senators.
