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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Senate to vote on bill that would protect same-sex and interracial marriages
The Senate is expected to vote Tuesday on a measure that would protect same-sex and interracial marriages. Democrats2' push to pass the bill comes while they still control both chambers3 of Congress.
RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:
The Supreme4 Court's decision this summer to overturn the constitutional right to abortion5 has raised questions about how vulnerable other civil rights laws could be. Today, the Senate is set to vote on legislation that would protect same-sex and interracial marriages. As NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports, it's a top legislative6 priority for Democrats while they still control both chambers of Congress.
BARBARA SPRUNT, BYLINE7: The Respect for Marriage Act would not force states to issue same-sex marriage licenses8, but would require them to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. On the Senate floor on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said passing the legislation would be a big step forward.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
CHUCK SCHUMER: We all know that for all the progress that we've made on same-sex marriage, the rights of all married couples will never truly be safe without the proper protections under federal law. And that's why the Respect for Marriage Act is necessary.
SPRUNT: Opponents to the legislation argue it threatens religious liberty and that a 2015 Supreme Court decision already guarantees constitutional protections for same-sex marriage. Here's Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas on the Senate floor Monday.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
JOHN CORNYN: This idea that we have to pass this legislation in order to preserve what has already been recognized by the Supreme Court as a constitutional right - that this is based on, frankly9, a scare tactic10.
SPRUNT: He said while the bill raises questions on religious liberty, it, quote, "does not move the needle" on same-sex marriage.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
CORNYN: And there's no reason to believe that this decision is any - in any imminent11 jeopardy12.
SPRUNT: But Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon pushed back on that idea, pointing to the Supreme Court's decision over the summer overturning the constitutional right to an abortion.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
RON WYDEN: Some members of this body have questioned why we need to pass this bill when marriage equality is the law of the land. The answer is pretty straightforward13. The Dobbs ruling, which overturned Roe14 v. Wade15, showed that the Senate cannot take any modern legal precedent16 for granted.
SPRUNT: Twelve Republican senators have already supported this legislation on procedural hurdles17, and a deal was struck Monday to allow votes on amendments18 from three Republican senators aimed at protecting religious freedom. If the bill passes, it will then go to the House, where it's expected to pass easily, before being sent to President Biden for his signature. Barbara Sprunt, NPR News, Washington.
1 transcript | |
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2 democrats | |
n.民主主义者,民主人士( democrat的名词复数 ) | |
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3 chambers | |
n.房间( chamber的名词复数 );(议会的)议院;卧室;会议厅 | |
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4 supreme | |
adj.极度的,最重要的;至高的,最高的 | |
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5 abortion | |
n.流产,堕胎 | |
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6 legislative | |
n.立法机构,立法权;adj.立法的,有立法权的 | |
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7 byline | |
n.署名;v.署名 | |
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8 licenses | |
n.执照( license的名词复数 )v.批准,许可,颁发执照( license的第三人称单数 ) | |
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9 frankly | |
adv.坦白地,直率地;坦率地说 | |
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10 tactic | |
n.战略,策略;adj.战术的,有策略的 | |
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11 imminent | |
adj.即将发生的,临近的,逼近的 | |
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12 jeopardy | |
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13 straightforward | |
adj.正直的,坦率的;易懂的,简单的 | |
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14 roe | |
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15 wade | |
v.跋涉,涉水;n.跋涉 | |
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16 precedent | |
n.先例,前例;惯例;adj.在前的,在先的 | |
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n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 );跳栏;(供人或马跳跃的)栏架;跨栏赛 | |
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18 amendments | |
(法律、文件的)改动( amendment的名词复数 ); 修正案; 修改; (美国宪法的)修正案 | |
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