The Senate voted 62-37 to advance a House-passed marriage equality legislation protecting same-sex and interracial marriage under federal law. Twelve Republicans voted “yes” along with all Democrats. The bill would require states to recognize the unions as legally valid even if they take place in another state that does not recognize them. It would also repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between one woman and one man under federal law. Off the floor Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was reelected by his Republican colleagues as the party’s leader, and lawmakers continued to negotiate federal funding past the December 16 deadline.

1:45PM - 6:59PM ETSenate Session