The Republican congresswoman breaks down in tears on the House floor as she urges her peers to vote against the same-sex marriage bill
- Vicky Hartzler accused Dems of “destroying the traditional family, silencing voices of faith, and permanently destroying the God-woven foundation of our country.”
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi cried after the law passed for the opposite reason — she wiped away tears as she celebrated the passage of the bill
- Thirty-nine Republicans joined all Democrats in voting “yes” to the bill, sending it to President Biden’s desk by a vote of 258 to 169
- Last week, 12 Republicans joined all Democrats to vote for the bill in the Senate, breaking a 60-vote filibuster
GOP Rep. Vicky Hartzler broke down and cried on the floor of the House Thursday in defiance of the gay marriage bill the House passed.
“This is another step toward the Democrat goal of dissolving the traditional family, silencing the voices of faith, and permanently destroying the God-woven foundation of our country,” the Missouri Republican said, her voice shaking.
“That’s the Democrats’ priority. Well, Mr. Speaker, I’ll tell you my priorities — protecting religious liberty, protecting believers, and protecting Americans who believe in the true meaning of marriage. I hope and pray that my colleagues will find the courage to join me in opposing this misguided and dangerous bill,” she added, breaking into a loud sob.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi cried for the opposite reason after the law passed — she wiped away tears as she celebrated the passage of the bill — one of the last bills to pass under her leadership.
She had previously been choked on announcing the passage of the bill.
“I was emotional, I’m sorry,” she said after banging the gavel on the desk several times.
Thirty-nine Republicans joined all Democrats in voting “yes” to the bill, sending it to President Biden’s desk by a vote of 258 to 169. Another Republican voted present and four voted not.
Last week, 12 Republicans joined all Democrats to vote for the bill in the Senate, breaking a 60-vote filibuster.
The Respect for Marriage Act requires states to recognize any marriage contracted in another state and formally repeals the Defense of Marriage Act, which stated that marriage was contracted between a man and a woman .
The right to same-sex marriage has been in force since Obergefell v. Hodges enshrined in law in all 50 states by 2012. However, the bill does not codify Obergefell, meaning that ruling states could ban gay marriage if the Supreme Court overturned it, but would have to recognize married same-sex partners if the ceremony took place in another state.
GOP Rep. Vicky Hartzler broke down and cried on the floor of the House Thursday in defiance of the gay marriage bill the House passed
“This is another step toward the Democrat goal of dissolving the traditional family, silencing the voices of faith, and permanently destroying the God-woven foundation of our country,” the Missouri Republican said, her voice shaking
Nancy Pelosi celebrates passage of the bill with Chuck Schumer and bipartisan members of Congress
Pelosi choked earlier when announcing passage of the bill
The bill came in light of the Dobbs decision, when Justice Clarence Thomas suggested that other factual opinions on due process — such as gay marriage or the right to contraception — be reconsidered.
Last month, a bipartisan group of senators added a religious freedom amendment to the bill that would require nonprofit religious organizations not to provide goods or services to a wedding celebration and their stance on marriage would not confer federal benefits or tax exemptions.
Hartzler, an evangelical Christian, ran for the Missouri Senate seat this year but lost a GOP primary to Eric Schmitt. Former President Trump declined to support her race, writing on Truth Social: “I don’t think she has what it takes to take on the radical left Democrats.”