President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed a bill into law that he says will ensure that same-sex marriage remains legal but that critics say goes much further than that by also threatening religious liberty. The bill, the Respect for Marriage Act ( H.R. 8404 ), defines marriage as “between 2 individuals” and overturns the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Supporters say it ensures that same-sex marriage remains legal even if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its landmark decision Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which struck down traditional marriage laws nationwide. The new law also protects interracial marriage. “Deciding whether to marry, who to marry is one of the most profound decisions a person can make,” Biden said, adding that the new law “recognize[s] that everyone should have the right to answer those questions for themselves without the government interference.” Although the bill includes an amendment that supporters say protects religious liberty, critics say its impact is too narrow. The amendment protects churches and other houses of worship. It also protects religious organizations “whose principal purpose is the study, practice, or advancement of religion” from being forced to participate […]
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