Earlier this month, President Joe Biden signed into law a bipartisan bill that codifies same-sex marriage.

According to a press release from the White House, the Respect for Marriage Act establishes statutory authority for same-sex and interracial marriages. The new law also repeals any provisions of law that prevented states or US territories from being required to give effect to a same-sex marriage from another state or territory. Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District Representative Randy Feenstra voted against the legislation when it originally passed the House and he outlines his main concern with the law.

“The threat to religious liberty and our Constitution. Our churches and non-profits would be open to frivolous lawsuits through the bill that was passed. Obviously, my faith teaches me that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. But also, I believe, that we must protect our 1st Amendment rights, and our religious freedoms, and freedoms for every American. And that’s why I voted ‘no’ on the bill.”   

After the bill passed the House and then the Senate, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, along with a few Senate Republicans, voted in favor of the legislation. Sources say Ernst was then censored by a few county Republican parties in Iowa. Feenstra had this to say about Ernst being censored locally.

“Senator Ernst has been a strong voice for Iowa in the United States Senate. She’s been dedicated and an advocate for families, farmers and for small businesses. Senator Ernst does a great job in the US Senate.”   

Feenstra and Senator Chuck Grassley were the only ones from the Iowa federal delegation that voted against the law.