News (USA)

WASHINGTON — Public opinion on same-sex marriage in the United States has been shifting for years. Now lawmakers are hurrying to catch up.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island’s Roman Catholic leader said Wednesday that state lawmakers should hold off on acting on a marriage equality bill while the U.S. Supreme Court considers the issue.

WASHINGTON — The cost to taxpayers for a House Republican decision to fund the legal team supporting the Defense of Marriage Act has climbed from $500,000 to as much as $3 million, Democrats say in questioning the GOP stance on the gay marriage issue now before the Supreme Court.

However the Supreme Court rules after its landmark hearings on same-sex marriage, the issue seems certain to divide Americans and states for many years to come.

PHOENIX — An Arizona House committee has voted to advance a new version of a bill that previously would have barred transgender people from using public bathrooms not associated with their birth gender.

CARSON CITY, Nev. — A Nevada state Senate committee heard testimony on Tuesday on a resolution to repeal the state’s constitutional provision that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the U.S. Supreme Court heard historic arguments over same-sex marriage, a lead supporter signaled defeat Wednesday for the latest bid in the House of Delegates to add sexual orientation and gender identity to West Virginia’s anti-discrimination laws.

WASHINGTON — Concluding two days of intense debate, the Supreme Court signaled Wednesday it could give a boost to same-sex marriage by striking down the federal law that denies legally married gay spouses a wide range of benefits offered to other couples.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — As the U.S. Supreme Court considers two marriage equality cases, the Arkansas House of Representatives has passed a resolution reaffirming opposition to allowing same-sex couples to marry.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky lawmakers have voted to override the governor’s veto of a bill intended to better protect legal claims of religious freedom.