Tammy Baldwin: “Senator Lankford's amendment would eliminate the only practical recourse for same-sex and interracial couples to protect…”

“Senator Lankford's amendment would eliminate the only practical recourse for same-sex and interracial couples to protect their marriages under the Respect for Marriage Act. It would create an exemption far beyond current law for partnerships between government and faith-based organizations, the latter of which continue to enjoy robust religious liberty and conscience protections that remain intact under the Respect for Marriage Act. This amendment would upend a carefully negotiated, bipartisan compromise that protects the interests of religious organizations and individuals while affording the dignity of marriage recognition to same-sex and interracial couples. I urge my colleagues to vote no. I yield back. Vote on Amendment No. 6496 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question occurs on agreeing to amendment No. 6496.”