Vt. senators applaud passage of Respect for Marriage Act

WASHINGTON (WCAX) - The Respect for Marriage Act passed the U.S. Senate Tuesday and is headed to the House. Vermont Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders celebrated the vote.

The bill, which would ensure that same-sex and interracial marriages are enshrined in federal law, was approved 61-36 on Tuesday, including support from 12 Republicans.

“A decision such as who to spend your life with should not be determined by a state, local, or federal government. It is regrettable that throughout our history, too many Americans have been denied the right to marry who they love based on their gender or race,” Sen. Leahy said in a statement,

“I’m proud that Vermont has served as a pioneer in the marriage equality movement. Marriage has always been an inalienable right. And now we are on our way to protecting that right for all,” Sen. Sanders said in a statement,

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