Here is Your Senator’s Stance on the Democrats’ Bill to Redefine Marriage

CV NEWS FEED // As Democrats in the Senate prepare to make their final push to pass the so-called “Respect for Marriage Act,” CatholicVote has created a one-stop portal for Catholics to write to GOP senators urging them to reject the bill.

Write to your senator now!

CatholicVote Director of Government Affairs Tom McClusky warns that the legislation is “a deceptively-named bill that would redefine marriage under federal law, opening the door to polygamy and even lowering age restrictions.” Democrats will need Republicans to join them in order to pass the bill, so “Catholics must contact their GOP senators and make clear that we don’t want this.”

In addition to CatholicVote’s Quorum portal for contacting senators, McClusky wanted to provide Catholics with a list of GOP senators and their positions on the “Respect for Marriage Act.”

“The first thing CatholicVote or any other advocacy group does when tackling an issue is create a ‘whip list,’” McClusky explained:

A whip list is a breakdown of elected officials’ positions on a given issue. It helps an organization and its allies decide which officials need to be pressured so that they vote the way you want. It’s a standard practice on both sides of the political aisle, because it’s a necessary part of any legislative victory.

Below, readers can find an insider look at a “whip list” on the “Respect for Marriage Act.” 

Sources for the list range from political trade emails (such as Punchbowl) to media outlets and (most importantly) interactions with elected officials and their staff. 

“The whip list makes it possible for CV to work with our allies in talking with or publicly pressuring elected officials who have taken the wrong stance, are on the fence, or have only made weak, unclear statements,” McClusky said. “And don’t forget to write to your senator today! We’ve made it easy for you.”

Senate Marriage Vote Whip List

Yea: 

(Definitive)

1. Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME
2. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-AK
3. Sen. Rob Portman, R-OH
4. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC

(Wavering)

5. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-WI

(Leans)

6. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-MO 

(CNN: “”What do we feel obligated to do next?” if the Senate does codify same-sex marriage into federal law. He added: “I don’t have any problem with same-sex marriage, but I’m not sure — I want to look at the legislation.”

7. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND

(PunchBowl: “I mean, it seems unnecessary to me. I mean, the Supreme Court’s been pretty clear about the constitutionality [of same-sex marriage]… I’ve been of the belief that government should never have gotten in the wedding business.” Cramer noted Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., voted yes on the House bill Tuesday evening. Cramer said he would be meeting with Armstrong to hear about his vote. Concerned the bill allows for child marriage and polygamy.

8. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-IA

(CNN: Keeping an open mind about the SSM legislation)

9. Sen. Rick Scott, R-FL

(Punchbowl labels a Nay but CNN said Unknown – statement weak and intended to clarify he isn’t a no (per Sen. Lankford staff))

10. Sen. John Thune, R-SD (Weak Statement)
11. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-OK

(CNN: “people ought to have the freedom to do what they want, it’s a 

free country.”**Staff Responded to email by saying he shares our concerns.)

Nay:

12. Sen. Mike Braun, R-IN (From staff)
13. Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC (From staff)
14. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX (From CNN)
15. Sen. John Cornyn, R-TX (Per Punchbowl and CNN – statement solid)
16. Sen. Steve Daines, R-MT (From staff – He’s gathering with other Senators to discuss the bill)
17. Sen. Lyndsey Graham, R-SC (Per Punchbowl and CNN – statement solid)
18. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-MO (From staff)
19. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-OK (Per CNN – statement solid)
20. Sen. Jim Lankford, R-OK (Per Punchbowl and VAT staff working with outside groups)
21. Sen. Mike Lee, R-UT (From staff)
22. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-AL (Per Punchbowl – solid statement)
23. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL (Per Punchbowl and CNN – solid statement)
24. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-MI (Per Punchbowl and CNN – said he’s likely no)

Unknown/No Statement:

25. Sen. John Barrasso, R-WY, Undecided
26. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-TN
27. Sen. John Boozman, R-AR, Critical of bill but silent on position
28. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV, Undecided
29. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-LA, (CNN labels no but statement weak)
30. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-AR, Critical of bill but silent on position
31. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-ID
32. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-NE
33. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-IA, “It’s the law of the land”
34. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-TN
35. Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, weak statement
36. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-MS
37. Sen. John Kennedy,R-LA
38. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-WY, Undecided
39. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-KS, (Chatted with his staff, grateful for talkers– expect no – encouraged substantive stance and public comment)
40. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-KY
41. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-KS
42. Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY
43. Sen. Jim Risch, R-ID
44. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-UT, weak statement
45. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-SD,  (Comms guy said that the Senator has the same position on marriage that he did 7 years ago)
46. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-NE, non-committal statement
47. Sen. Tim Scott, R-SC
48. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-AK
49. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-PA
50. Sen. Todd Young, R-IN, weak statement (Sen. Braun staff indicate weakness as I also thought)

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