Statement on Passage of “Respect” for Marriage Act in Congress

LEXINGTON, KY – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on final passage of H.R. 8404, the so-called Respect for Marriage Act, without meaningful safeguards for religious freedom. Having already passed the U.S. Senate, the bill now heads to President Joe Biden and is expected to be signed into law.

Statement from David Walls, executive director of The Family Foundation:

“Congress has profoundly disrespected marriage and trampled on America’s first freedom – the right of religious liberty. This bill is a club that will be used to target people of faith and Christian organizations, most especially faith-based adoption and foster care agencies. No American should live under the threat of government punishment for simply abiding by their deeply-held beliefs.

“If President Biden signs this bill into law, it will be a sad day for freedom in America. But no vote of Congress or decision of the Supreme Court can alter the truth that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. We are thankful for the numerous members of Congress who opposed this dangerous bill and stood up for religious freedom. Despite this attempt to silence and intimidate those that hold to the truth of marriage, millions of Americans and Kentuckians will continue to live out their strong religious convictions,” concluded Walls.

In addition to imposing any false definition of marriage legally allowed in any state, the passage of this bill will expose individuals and faith-based nonprofits, like adoption and foster care agencies, to predatory lawsuits and further weaponize the IRS to target organizations that believe in God’s design for marriage between one man and one woman.