Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) attended his son’s same-sex wedding Friday, days after he voted against a bill that would have codified the right to same-sex marriage into federal law.
Thompson joined 156 other House Republicans last week in voting against the Respect for Marriage Act, which would protect same-sex and interracial marriage.
The bill passed the House of Representatives, with all Democrats and 47 Republicans voting in favor. The bill now heads to the Senate, where its future is uncertain.
Madison Stone, Thompson’s press secretary, confirmed in a statement to The Hill that Thompson and his wife attended their son’s wedding on Friday.
“Congressman and Mrs. Thompson were thrilled to attend and celebrate their son’s marriage Friday night as he begins this new chapter in his life,” Stone said. “The Thompsons are very happy to welcome their new son-in-law to their family.”
Thompson’s cabinet criticized the legislation proposed by Democrats as a gimmick aimed at midterm exams.
“The bill was nothing more than an election-year messaging ploy for Democrats in Congress who have failed to address historic inflation and out-of-control gas and grocery prices,” Stone said in a statement last week.
Forty-seven House GOP lawmakers voted for the measure, which Democrats said was necessary in light of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion in the ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. In the opinion, Thomas said the court should review other cases decided with similar legal reasoning, including Obergefell v. Hodges, the case that legalized same-sex marriage nationally.
Justice Samuel Alito said in the majority opinion overturning Roe that the court’s ruling should not be interpreted as having implications for other issues, but Thomas’ opinion raised alarm among Democrats.
A handful of Senate Republicans have announced their support for the bill, while other GOP members have said they will oppose it. If all Democrats vote for the bill, it would take at least 10 Republican votes in support to overcome a filibuster.
BuzzFeed News released an audio recording and transcript of Thompson’s speech at his son’s wedding on Tuesday. He said in the speech that parents hope from the moment their children are born that they are healthy and safe, that they find opportunity and inspiration, and that they find their “one true love” when they grow old.
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“We love when they find their one true love, especially when they become part of our families,” he said. “That’s what we’re rooting for.”
He said having a new son join his family was a “really good experience”.
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