Fellow Conservative,

We need your voice <[link removed]> to keep Congress in check.

Yesterday was a disappointing day for conservatives and anyone who values religious liberty as the Senate voted to advance the Respect for Marriage Act. This act would repeal the Defense for Marriage Act which declared that marriage is between one man and one woman.

Given the Supreme Court rulings of Obergfell and Windsor, this Act would have no effect on marriage in America. But because of how it is written, it would allow harassment of religious individuals and institutions because of their beliefs on marriage.

In spite of this, 12 Senate Republicans <[link removed]> voted to advance the bill:


- Roy Blunt of Missouri
- Richard Burr of North Carolina
- Shelley Capito of West Virginia
- Susan Collins of Maine
- Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming
- Rob Portman of Ohio
- Mitt Romney of Utah
- Dan Sullivan of Alaska
- Thom Tillis of North Carolina
- Joni Ernst of Iowa
- Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
- Todd Young of Indiana



In a statement <[link removed]> released on Wednesday, President of The Heritage Foundation Kevin Roberts wrote:
“Conservatives are deeply disappointed by the betrayal of Senate Republicans to protect Americans’ religious freedom and won't’ soon forget the votes of the 12 Republican senators who cast aside an essential right in a bill that will weaponize the federal government against believers of nearly every major religion.”
But the fight is not over! <[link removed]> There is still a chance to stop this bill from going the distance and becoming law. After Thanksgiving, the Senate will vote on final cloture for the bill. If it passes final cloture then there is little in the way to stop it from passing the final vote to make it law.

A cloture vote requires 60 votes, which means if Republicans are serious about defending religious liberty they can deny the bill from advancing to the final stage.

They can also push to add Sen. Mike Lee’s amendment which provides religious liberty protections and addresses the bill’s most glaring problems. It is the only proposed amendment that does so.

Senators urgently need to hear from their constituents. If this law passes, religious institutions including churches, charities, businesses, and universities could be sued and/or lose their tax exempt status for their beliefs on marriage.

Call your representative NOW <[link removed]> and tell them to defend religious liberty! With enough outcry from the grassroots, this bill can be killed.

Do not hesitate <[link removed]>. Make your voice heard.

Janae Stracke
Grassroots Director
Heritage Action

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