Ron Johnson expresses concerns over same-sex marriage bill as senators consider changes for GOP support

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is expressing reservations over backing a bill that would codify same-sex marriage — legislation he for weeks signaled he would not oppose.

In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Oshkosh Republican indicated he now has concerns over religious protections issues and would like to see changes to the bill's text.

“I said at the time I had no reason to oppose it,” Johnson said Wednesday. “I think there are a lot of people with reasons and very legitimate issues in terms of religious freedom.”

“I think that needs to be considered and addressed.”

Johnson’s position on the topic has been called into question since the Wisconsin senator said in July he wouldn't oppose the Respect for Marriage Act if it comes up for a vote in the Senate. He said at the time he saw the legislation as “unnecessary” but added: “I see no reason to oppose it."

This week, however, Johnson told Axios, “I've never said I would support it. I said I didn't see a reason to oppose it.”

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Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s office told the Journal Sentinel that the Wisconsin Democrat is working with Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins to get GOP support for the bill by “adding language that provides more clarity about what the legislation does not do.”

“It will not take away any religious liberty or conscience protections,” Baldwin’s office said, referencing protections that could apply to situations where someone refuses to do something based on their beliefs.

Religious freedoms are protected under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.

Johnson suggested there are multiple people in the Senate Republican Conference with similar concerns and would not say whether he would support the bill should language be added to the bill explicitly stating it would not take away religious liberties.

"We’ll see what they come up with and we’ll see if they can provide adequate protection," he said.

Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla, and Mitt Romney, R-Utah, also raised concerns about the bill and religious liberties, according to Axios. Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher previously said he was worried language in the bill would force the government to recognize polygamous relationships.

Johnson's refusal to say whether he supports the bill has raised questions from both supporters and opponents of the Respect for Marriage Act.

After Johnson initially signaled his support for the House-passed bill, Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action, urged members of the conservative group to contact the senator’s office.

“I'm pleased that we don't have a definite yes from the senator,” Appling told the Journal Sentinel Wednesday. "I do think that it's always good for elected officials to hear from their constituents, and I know that Senator Johnson did hear from a significant number of people in Wisconsin.”

Appling added: “We're cautiously optimistic that if this bill hits the Senate floor that Senator Johnson will do the right thing and not support this redefinition of marriage.”

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, one of nine openly gay members of the House and an outspoken supporter of the legislation, said he believes Johnson is making up excuses not to support the bill.

"If Ron Johnson doesn't support current marriage law he can make up any excuse he wants to vote against it, despite its popularity among Wisconsinites and all Americans," Pocan said.

Should changes be made to the bill, it would likely need to return to the House for another vote.

As it stands now, the Senate is not expected to take up the legislation until after the August recess.

Bill Glauber of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.

Contact Lawrence Andrea at landrea@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @lawrencegandrea.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ron Johnson expresses concerns over same-sex marriage bill