Family and Marriage News
Coverage of family life, marriage, parenting, and cultural issues shaping households across America, with clear reporting and thoughtful analysis.
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- Opinion
Second GOP Congressman Renounces Vote for ‘Disrespect for Marriage Act’
Another one of the 47 House Republicans who voted for the so-called Respect for Marriage Act has withdrawn his support, charging Democrats with “failing to provide legitimate safeguards for faith-based organizations” that hold “deeply-held religious beliefs” about natural marriage. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., announced on Monday that he will reverse his vote in favor of H.R. 8404, which…Ben Johnson -
- Opinion
‘Doesn’t Go Nearly Far Enough,’ LGBT Left Gripes About ‘Respect for Marriage Act’
As the Senate voted 61-36 to pass the “(Dis)Respect for Marriage Act” on Nov. 29, an editor for The Washington Post, Jonathan Capehart, wrote in its pages under the headline, “Gee, thanks for this tiny step to protect my same-sex marriage.” Despite his self-description “as an institutionalist who recognizes the power of incrementalism,” the act “offend[ed] my…Joshua Arnold -
- News
Virginia Restaurant Kicks Out Family Foundation Over Abortion, Traditional Marriage
A Virginia restaurant told the Family Foundation that it was no longer welcome to dine at the establishment because of the organization’s views on abortion and traditional marriage. The Daily Signal spoke with Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb on Monday morning outside the Supreme Court as the justices heard oral arguments in 303 Creative v….Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Why This Graphic Designer Can’t Be Forced to Endorse Same-Sex Marriage
The Supreme Court next week will consider whether Colorado may use a state law to require someone to express someone else’s message. The case to be argued Monday, called 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, concerns graphic artist and website designer Lorie Smith, who also is a devout Christian. Smith’s faith, in fact, was part of…Aaron Martin -
- Opinion
‘Profound Consequences’: Sen. Mike Lee Outlines How Respect for Marriage Act Will Affect People of Faith
This is a lightly edited transcript of remarks Sen. Mike Lee delivered before his amendment to the so-called Respect for Marriage Act was voted on. That amendment failed in a 48-49 vote Tuesday. Shortly after, the Senate passed the Respect for Marriage Act. Madame President, today, as popular winds blow against the man and woman…Daily Signal Staff -
- News
United States Senate Passes Radical Respect for Marriage Act
The United States Senate has passed the Respect for Marriage Act without a vital amendment that conservatives had pushed to protect religious freedom. The bill's supporters have claimed that the much-discussed legislation protects religious liberty. But opponents of the Respect for Marriage Act, including religious institutions like the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, desperately warned…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Radical ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ Could Spell End of Religious Tax Exemptions
In just a couple of hours, the Senate is gearing up for a final vote on the misnamed “Respect for Marriage Act.” The vote is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. EST with the full Senate voting on the First Amendment Defense Act amendment from Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and two other amendments from Sen….Emma Waters -
- Opinion
Focus on the Family Blamed for Club Q Shooting Despite Jim Daly Condemnation, Suspect’s Nonbinary Identity
Earlier this month, a gunman opened fire at Club Q, a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, killing five and injuring 25 others. Despite the suspect's identifying as "nonbinary" and going by "Mx. Anderson Lee Aldrich" in court documents, many on the Left blamed conservatives and Christians for the attack, and vandals targeted one prominent…Tyler O’Neil -
- News
Senate Advances Radical Respect for Marriage Act
United States senators voted Monday on a motion to invoke cloture on an amendment to the so-called Respect for Marriage Act, advancing the legislation one step closer to passage. The Senate will now vote Tuesday afternoon on Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee’s amendment (which is a 60-vote threshold), Republican Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford’s amendment, and…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
Walmart’s Walton Family Funds Drag Queen Shows, Gender Ideology for Kids
Second- and third-generation heirs of Walmart founder Sam Walton’s fortune have funneled millions of dollars into LGBTQ-related causes in their home state of Arkansas. Among other things, these Walton-funded groups and the Walmart Foundation have sponsored local drag shows and story hours for kids; “teens only” events for LGBTQ-identifying youth; and other progressive causes such…Gillian Richards -
- Opinion
No Room for ‘Compromise’ on First Amendment Right to Freedom of Religion in Favor of Radical ‘Respect for Marriage Act,’ Ex-Senator Says
Religious freedom is a fundamental right guaranteed by our Constitution and must be protected. Sadly, the same-sex marriage bill facing a Senate vote on Monday puts that freedom in danger for people of faith and religious schools, adoption agencies, and nonprofits. Writing in the Deseret News recently, University of Virginia law professor Douglas Laycock attempts…Sam Brownback -
- News
Second Key GOP Senator Announces Support for Religious Freedom Amendment to Respect for Marriage Act
A second senator who voted for the Respect for Marriage Act will support Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee's amendment protecting religious freedom, though she did not say whether she would insist on the amendment's adoption as a condition for supporting cloture on the legislation. Republican Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis will support the Lee amendment if…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
Wyoming Catholic College Opposes Radical Respect for Marriage Act
Another prominent Catholic academic institution is opposing the Democrat-led Respect for Marriage Act. Wyoming Catholic College President Glenn Arbery shared with The Daily Signal on Saturday that the college "supports the USCCB's letter to the Senate against the Respect for Marriage Act, as well as the USCCB's shorter and more recent press statement." "The RMA [Respect for…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
GOP Senator Who Voted for Respect for Marriage Act Supports Vital Religious Freedom Amendments
A Republican senator who voted for the so-called Respect for Marriage Act supports Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee's and Republican Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford's amendments to the legislation, The Daily Signal has learned. Republican Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan is working hard to ensure that the necessary votes are attained to include the amendments, which aimed…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
Poll: Voters in 5 Key States Oppose Same-Sex Marriage Bill Over Religious Liberty Concerns
Voters in five Republican-leaning states oppose a same-sex marriage bill under consideration by the U.S. Senate on the grounds that it undermines religious liberty and punishes people of faith. The survey of 2,000 likely voters in Indiana, Iowa, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming puts support for the deceptively named Respect for Marriage Act at just…Robert B. Bluey -
- News
Heritage Foundation Launches $1.3 Million Ad Campaign to Expose Same-Sex Marriage Bill’s Religious Liberty Threat
The Heritage Foundation is investing $1.3 million in an ad campaign to highlight concerns for religious freedom posed by the so-called Respect for Marriage Act now before Congress. “The bill puts a target on the backs of people of faith who believe that marriage is between one man and one woman, opening individuals and organizations to…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
What’s in Senate’s Same-Sex Marriage Bill, Why It’s Threat to Religious Freedom
The U.S. Senate is considering legislation that could have dire consequences for religious freedom. The so-called Respect for Marriage Act goes beyond codifying same-sex marriage in federal law to make the acceptance of gay marriage compulsory. “The so-called Respect for Marriage Act will just simply lead to more attacks on Americans’ religious liberty,” says Jay…Virginia Allen -
- News
Catholic University of America Opposes Radical ‘Respect for Marriage Act’
The Catholic University of America said Tuesday that it is aligned with top United States Catholic clergy in opposing the so-called Respect for Marriage Act. "The Catholic University of America is committed to upholding the teachings of the Catholic Church, which includes the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman," the university…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Walton Family Funds LGBT Initiatives, Opposition to Arkansas SAFE Act
Families of four trans-identifying youth and two doctors, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, testified last month against the Arkansas law banning sex-reassignment treatment for minors. Behind the effort to strike down Arkansas’ Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act is the wealthiest family in the nation—heirs of Walmart founder Sam Walton’s fortune. The Walton…Gillian Richards -
- News
EXCLUSIVE: Mike Lee Urges GOP Senators Who Voted for Radical Marriage Bill: ‘Have the Courage to Protect’ Free Exercise of Religion
Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee is urging the 12 Republican senators who voted for the so-called Respect for Marriage Act to oppose cloture on the legislation unless Lee’s amendment is added to the bill. “The free exercise of religion is absolutely essential to the health of our Republic,” the senator wrote in a “Dear Colleague”…Mary Margaret Olohan