Sen. Baldwin announces amendment to Respect for Marriage Act in effort to codify same-sex marriage

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin announced a bipartisan amendment to the Respect for Marriage Act that supporters say will protect same-sex marriage and interracial marriages while also protecting religious liberties. 

Baldwin is one of two Democrats and three Republicans who worked on the bill.

There has been a significant effort to codify gay marriage and interracial marriage after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe. v. Wade in June. Now, some fear the high court could also reverse other landmark decisions. Baldwin says her bill is an "urgent response to a threat to marriage equality>"

"The idea that that might be stripped away is scary," Sen. Baldwin said. "And I know a lot of families and interracial couples and same-sex couples who are legitimately concerned about the certainty of their marriages."

The Senate will hold a procedural vote Wednesday, Nov. 16 to advance the Respect for Marriage Act.

Baldwin says she believes there is enough support to pass it.