Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate Mehmet Oz has joined more than 400 Republican leaders who are calling on the Senate to pass legislation to protect marriage rights for same-sex couples.
Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015 after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision, but Justice Clarence Thomas hinted this year that the court might be open to reconsidering rulings on the matter.
In response, a bipartisan group of legislators introduced the Respect for Marriage Act, a federal bill that would codify same-sex and interracial marriages into law.
Oz, a Republican who lives in Montgomery County, has previously stated his support for same-sex marriage and recently signed onto a letter supporting the Respect for Marriage Act. Oz joined other Republicans such as Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, former President George W. Bush’s daughter Barbara Bush and lobbyist and former Trump adviser David Urban, a Beaver County native.
“I’m proud to join this effort with fellow Republicans,” Oz tweeted Monday. “I believe that same-sex couples should have the same freedom to get married as straight couples.”
I'm proud to join this effort with fellow Republicans. I believe that same-sex couples should have the same freedom to get married as straight couples.https://t.co/cAQ4jA2bL0
— Dr. Mehmet Oz (@DrOz) September 12, 2022
Democrats, including Oz’s election rival John Fetterman, support same-sex marriage protections. However, the Senate bill needs 60 votes to clear the chamber, which means that at least 10 Republican senators need to vote for its passage.
The GOP letter cites how 71% of Americans support same-sex marriage rights. According to a 2021 PRRI poll, 69% of Pennsylvanians support same-sex marriage, while 28% oppose it.
Despite universal support from Democrats and some support from Republicans, some prominent conservative figures in media and politics have criticized Oz for his support of the Respect for Marriage Act.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark and former GOP Senate candidate Carla Sands responded to Oz’s tweet and wrote that she believes the Respect for Marriage Act would infringe on religious liberty and “could open the door to polygamy and child marriage.”
Nationally syndicated radio show host Jesse Kelly implied that Oz’s support was part of an assault on conservative culture.
The problem with this law is that it requires all states to recognize what any state does regarding liberalizing marriage. I believe that it will infringe on religious liberty and could open the door to polygamy and child marriage. A doctors oath is “first do no harm”. https://t.co/DkWpqcK91E
— Carla Sands (@CarlaHSands) September 12, 2022
The Respect for Marriage Act has already passed through the U.S. House with bipartisan support, with all Democrats and 47 Republicans supporting it.
It’s unclear if it has enough support in the Senate. Just a handful of Republicans in the Senate have indicated they will vote yes on the bill, including Sens. Susan Collins, Rob Portman and Lisa Murkowski. Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh, hasn’t weighed in on how he will vote.
The Senate is expected to consider the bill this week.
