Democrats may be one step closer to declaring an economic victory in the Senate, but one Republican lawmaker warns their closed-door dealings could have bipartisan consequences. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine suggested that the surprise climate deal struck by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin this week on a more nuanced version of the president’s economic agenda could make it difficult for bipartisan efforts to pass a bill protecting same-sex marriage. “I just think the timing couldn’t be worse and it came completely out of the blue,” Collins told HuffPost. Democrats announced the deal Thursday hours after 17 Senate Republicans joined with 50 Democrats to pass a $52 billion bill to bolster the U.S. industry responsible for computer chips that power smartphones, medical devices and other high-tech items. . Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had previously threatened to suspend the semiconductor legislation if Democrats tried to advance the health, climate and tax bill. The economic legislation would pass through the budget reconciliation process, requiring only 50 Democratic votes and effectively limiting any avenues of GOP resistance. “Having just worked together successfully on gun safety legislation, on the CHIP bill, it was a very unfortunate move that destroys the many bipartisan efforts that are underway,” Collins told the outlet. The Maine Republican is currently trying to champion the Respect for Marriage Act after the House passed the legislation last week with the support of all 220 Democrats and an additional 47 Republicans. Five Senate Republicans have said they support the bill, opening the door to the necessary 10 Republican votes needed over the 50 Democrats for the legislation to pass. If the bill passes the Senate and is signed into law, it would formally repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act that defined marriage as between one man and one woman. Courts later struck down that definition, but the original law remained on the books. The Respect for Marriage Act would also prohibit any state agent from “failing to fully enforce an out-of-state marriage” based on sex, race, sex, or national origin. Democrats quickly began calling for codification of same-sex marriage protections after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last month, in a ruling that overturned federal abortion rights. While Justice Samuel Alito’s majority said the case should not affect other rights, conservative Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion that suggested the court “revisit” some landmark rulings, including the right to same-sex marriage. But after Democrats surprised Wednesday, Collins says support for the same-sex marriage bill, as well as a number of other bipartisan efforts, could be problematic. Time runs out before MPs’ August recess. Collins told HuffPost she didn’t know if the Respect for Marriage Act would ultimately advance in the fall campaign, but said she plans to continue supporting the legislation in the meantime.
