In a symbolic vote late Thursday night, the Senate expressed support for extending Social Security benefits to all legally married same-sex couples.
The upper chamber voted 57-43 to approve the amendment extending federal same-sex benefits. The measure was introduced by Sen. Brian Schatz, a Hawaii Democrat.
That total included 11 Republicans, including some facing re-election campaigns in purple states. No Democrats voted against the amendment.
The amendment was adopted as one of many added to the budget in a late-night “vote-o-rama” leading up to passage of the Republican spending blueprint. Although the budget is not signed by the president and does not become law, amendments are used to gauge senators on different issues and highlight party stances.
The Republicans voting for the measure were Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Richard Burr of North Carolina, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Susan Collins of Maine, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Dean Heller of Nevada, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mark Kirk of Illinois, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Illinois, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
