Polk votes: Soto favors marriage bill, Republicans Franklin, Steube, Webster vote no

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to pass the Respect for Marriage Act by a vote of 258 to 169.

Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, joined all Democrats who cast votes in supporting the measure. Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Lakeland; Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota; and Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, voted against the bill, as did all but 39 Republicans.

The bill had already passed the Senate and now goes to President Joe Biden.

“I am proud to have voted for the Respect for Marriage Act to protect same-sex and interracial marriages in Central Florida and across America,” Soto said in an emailed statement. “After the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion, it was critical for us to come together to enshrine marriage equality into law. Soon, President Biden will sign this bill and deliver a major win for human rights.”

Franklin issued a written statement in response to a request from The Ledger.

“The principle of separation of church and state is just as much about separating church from state as it is state from church,” the statement said. “This bill didn’t go far enough to protect the religious freedoms of those who might be compelled to provide services for gay marriages against their convictions. That said, I don’t have issues with the government recognizing civil unions between any two persons for legal purposes, but the federal government getting into the business of defining marriage is an overreach and intrusion.”

He added: “For the same reason President Bill Clinton stated in 1996 that the Defense of Marriage Act was unnecessary and divisive, this ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ is just another example of the federal government meddling where it shouldn’t.”

Webster’s office also provided a statement by email:

“This bill steps on the will of Floridians as clearly expressed in 2008 when they overwhelmingly voted to approve an amendment to the Florida Constitution protecting marriage as the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife,” it said. “Further, it undermines religious liberty by failing to provide legitimate, strong protections for faith-based organizations with deeply held religious beliefs. Congressman Webster treats everyone with kindness and respect, but his vote today is a reflection of the expressed will of Floridians and in support of religious liberty.”

Steube’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

The bill provides federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages. It requires all states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. The measure also repeals the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, much of which the Supreme Court had already invalidated.

Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Soto votes yes, Republicans Franklin, Steube, Webster no on marriage bill