On Tuesday, two of Washington’s U.S. representatives joined 155 other Republicans in voting against a bill to enshrine marriage equality into federal law.
Congresswomen Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Jaime Herrera Beutler opposed the Respect for Marriage Act, which provides protections for same-sex and interracial marriage. The legislation ultimately passed the House, with strong support from Washington Democratic Reps. Kim Schrier, Pramila Jayapal, Derek Kilmer, Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, and Marilyn Strickland.
“It’s appalling that Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Jaime Herrera Beutler voted against legislation to protect marriage equality. I’ve spent most of my life fighting for a person’s right — my right — to marry who they love. We won’t let that progress be erased,” Washington State Democratic Party Chair Tina Podlodowski said. “While Democrats have once again voted to protect our rights, many Republicans are actively trying to make it possible to take away those freedoms.”
The Tuesday vote follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ignoring 50 years of legal precedent, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion, and signaling a potential future attack on other rights, such as same-sex marriage and access to contraception. It also comes just days after the state’s three House Republicans (McMorris Rodgers, Herrera Beutler, and Rep. Dan Newhouse) voted against bills to protect abortion rights and prevent states from penalizing women for traveling out of state to access health care.
“A majority of Washingtonians and Americans overwhelming support marriage equality, as well as access to abortion, and yet, Republicans consistently go against the will of the people,” Podlodowski added. “There’s only one party fighting for people’s freedoms: the Democrats. It’s time to hold Republicans accountable at the ballot box; it’s time for us to vote our values.”
