Sen. Amy Klobuchar wants same-sex marriage to be codified soon by 60 members of the U.S Senate.
Appearing on Fox News Wednesday night alongside Ohio Sen. Rob Portman for a segment called “Common Ground,” she was asked by “Special Report” anchor Bret Baier if she thinks there will soon be a vote on the Senate floor
“I do, I hope so,” the Minnesota Democrat and staunch abortion supporter replied. “I think it’s time. There’s a moment in time and this is it; we have a number of Republicans who are supportive of same sex marriage … and that’s why we’d like to see a vote on this, to protect it.”
Klobuchar also believes that earlier this summer, Justice Clarence Thomas put the Obergefell v. Hodges decision of 2015 “in peril, in the minds of many.”
As one of the Republicans supporting the legislation, Portman called it “the status quo,” “a legislative function,” and “the appropriate role of Congress.”
The rhetoric follows Senate Leader Chuck Schumer who, after arguing that Republicans “are not satisfied with repealing Roe,” claimed on Wednesday that a vote on so-called marriage equality will happen “in the coming weeks.”
By holding a controversial vote, the New Yorker likely wants to force Republicans onto the record only two months before the midterm elections.
It is expected that Portman, along with Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, would back the legislation. None, however, are up for reelection.
Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, who is on the ballot in November and previously indicated he might support the Democrats’ legislation, said this week he could not back the bill under its current form.
The Democrats need 10 total Republicans to join all 50 of them to avoid a filibuster.
The Midwest senators also discussed supporting Ukraine’s efforts against Russia and a lack of vetting of Afghanistan war refugees by the Biden administration.
A.J. Kaufman
A.J. Kaufman is an Alpha News columnist. His work has appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Florida Sun-Sentinel, Indianapolis Star, Israel National News, Orange County Register, St. Cloud Times, Star-Tribune, and across AIM Media Midwest and the Internet. Kaufman previously worked as a school teacher and military historian.