The U.S. Senate recently voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify same-sex marriage in federal law and protect marriage equality from potential rulings by the Supreme Court.
The bill needed 60 votes to make it filibuster-proof, which meant bipartisan support was necessary. The leader of the effort was Sen. Susan Collins. Collins has long been a champion of self-determination, freedom and personal rights, including LGBTQ rights, and this vote is yet another example of her leadership.
Her experience and ability to show a steady but firm hand inspired 11 other Republican senators to join her in crossing the aisle to support this important piece of legislation.
This bill is not about granting special rights. It is about not taking away the basic rights that all of us have come to expect and enjoy as Americans. It is about government staying out of people’s personal lives, something all Republicans should embrace. The Respect for Marriage Act will protect the individual freedoms of all Americans.
As a Republican and former district attorney for Cumberland County, I also stand for self-determination, freedom and personal rights. I applaud Sen. Collins for once again being at the forefront of this issue and overcoming the highly partisan rhetoric we often hear from both sides of the aisle.
Stephanie Anderson
Cape Elizabeth
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