Republican lawmaker attended his gay son's wedding just three days after joining the majority of his GOP colleagues in voting against a House bill that would codify federal protections for same-sex marriage.
The gay son of Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., confirmed to NBC News on Monday that he "married the love of [his] life" on Friday and that his "father was there." The names of the married couple were withheld by the outlet.
Thompson's press secretary, Maddison Stone, also confirmed the congressman was in attendance. "Congressman and Mrs. Thompson were thrilled to attend and celebrate their son's marriage on Friday night as he began this new chapter in his life," Stone said in an email, adding that the Thompsons are "very happy" to welcome their new son-in-law "into their family."
Gawker was the first to report on the nuptials in an article published Thursday, the day before the ceremony, though it was not reported whether the lawmaker would attend the wedding.
What is the Respect for Marriage Act?
The Respect for Marriage Act repeals the federal definition of marriage being exclusively between a man and a woman and adds federal protections for married same-sex couples.
Democratic legislators introduced the bill to squash fears of the conservative-majority Supreme Court overturning its 2015 decision that declared state laws barring same-sex marriage are unconstitutional and legalized gay marriage on a national level.
Thompson Voted Against the Bill 3 Days Before the Wedding
In an email last week to the local newspaper Centre Daily, Stone called the Respect for Marriage Act "nothing more than an election-year messaging stunt for Democrats in Congress who have failed to address historic inflation and out of control prices at gas pumps and grocery stores."
Thompson, who represents the state's 15th congressional district, was one of 157 House Republicans who voted against the bill on Tuesday. However, 47 of his GOP colleagues joined Democrats to pass the bipartisan measure.
The act is now being considered by the Senate, where 10 GOP lawmakers must join all 50 Democrats to send the legislation to the desk of President Joe Biden. One of five Republican senators who has already confirmed a yes vote on the bill is Rob Portman of Ohio, who declared his support for same-sex marriage in 2013 after his son came out as gay.
More Americans support same-sex marriage than ever before. An overwhelming majority — 71% — of US residents believe marriages between couples of the same sex should be recognized by law, according to a Gallup poll published last month.
