ABOVE: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. Photo via Rubio’s Facebook page.
Washington, D.C. | U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has drawn the ire of LGBTQ activists and allies for calling legislation to protect same-sex marriage a “waste of time.”
The U.S. House passed the Respect for Marriage Act July 19 by a vote of 267-157, with 47 Republicans joining every Democrat in their support. The measure was introduced amid fears that marriage equality is at risk following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.
The legislation now heads to the U.S. Senate, where it will require 60 votes to end a filibuster and advance. CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Manu Raju shared via social media July 20 that Rubio advised he would not support it.
“Marco Rubio told me that he is a NO on House’s same-sex marriage bill, calling it a ‘stupid waste of time,’” his tweet read.
Marco Rubio told me that he is a NO on House’s same-sex marriage bill, calling it a “stupid waste of time”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) July 20, 2022
Watermark reached out to Rubio’s office for comment. Press Secretary Ansley Bradwell provided a link to an Insider report detailing the senator’s position.
“Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida told Insider on Wednesday that he would not vote to codify same-sex marriage at the federal level, calling it a ‘non-issue,’” the outlet’s story reads. It further noted that Rubio shared “there’s no threat to its status in America.”
Insider also noted that when asked about his support for same-sex marriage, Rubio shared that “States decide marriage laws, they always have. It’s why you can get married in Las Vegas by an Elvis impersonator in two hours.”
The remarks mirror Rubio’s words on “Meet the Press” in Dec. 2015, which his office also provided:
“If you want to change the definition of marriage, then you need to go to state legislatures and get them to change it. Because states have always defined marriage. And that’s why some people get married in Las Vegas by an Elvis impersonator. And in Florida, you have to wait a couple days when you get your permit. Every state has different marriage laws. … I don’t think the current Constitution gives the federal government the power to regulate marriage. That belongs at the state and local level.”
When pressed about how he would vote, Rubio confirmed he would not support the Respect for Marriage Act. Insider noted he called the bill a “waste of our time on a non-issue.”
U.S. Rep. Val Demings, the longtime LGBTQ ally who is running to unseat Rubio, was among those who condemned his remarks.
“It is embarrassing that Senator Marco Rubio of Florida would call a bipartisan effort to protect the freedom to marry who you love a ‘stupid waste of time,’” Demings shared. “I thought marrying the person you love has always been a good thing?
“Marco Rubio has proven that he has no interest in representing and fighting for all Floridians,” she continued. “Florida deserves a United States Senator with a proven record of working to protect all people, not just their own political gain.”
Watermark has requested additional comment from Rubio’s office and will update this story should it be received.
For more information about the 2022 race for U.S. Senate and each high-profile candidate, visit ValDemings.com and MarcoRubio.com.
