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The
narrowly tailored bill, which would require the federal
government to recognize a marriage if it was legal in the state
in which it was performed, is meant to be a backstop if the
Supreme Court acted against same-sex marriage.
It would not bar states from blocking same-sex or interracial
marriages if the Supreme Court allowed them to do so.
"Today the long but inexorable march towards greater equality
advances forward," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in
a statement.
"By passing this bill, the Senate is sending a message that
every American needs to hear: no matter who you are or who you
love, you too deserve dignity and equal treatment under the
law."
The bill was passed 61 to 36, with 60 votes needed for passage.
Twelve Republicans joined 49 Democrats in supporting the bill.
One Democrat, Georgia's Raphael Warnock, was absent, as were two
Republican senators.
A similar, but not identical, bill passed the House of
Representatives earlier this year with support from 47
Republicans and all Democrats. The House would need to approve
the Senate version before it is sent to President Joe Biden to
sign into law.
No. 2 House Democrat Steny Hoyer told reporters on Tuesday the
House would likely take up the Senate's version of the bill next
week.
In June, the Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to an
abortion, undoing 50 years of precedent.
In a concurring opinion, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
wrote the court should consider reversing other decisions
protecting individual freedoms, including the 2015 ruling on gay
marriage.
About 568,000 married same-sex couples live in the United
States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
(Reporting by Moira Warburton; Editing by Chris Reese and
Richard Chang)
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