WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate adopted stronger protections for religious institutions in a historic gay rights bill that secured the conditional support of a key Republican who was the party's presidential nominee in 2008.
On a quick, voice vote Wednesday, the Senate approved an amendment from Republican Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire that would prevent federal, state and local governments from retaliating against religious groups that are exempt from the law. The overall bill would prohibit workplace discrimination against gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.
The vote set the stage for passage of the bill on Thursday when all 55 senators in the Democratic majority and a number of Republican senators are expected to back the measure.
Asked if he would vote for the bill, five-term Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who twice sought the presidency, said, "yes," then added in a brief interview, "if we get the amendments worked out."
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