Respect for Marriage Act advances with help from 12 Republicans

From left, U.S. Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) (Photos: Washington Blade photos of Romney and Collins by Michael Key; photo of Portman public domain)

The Respect for Marriage Act is expected to be called for a full Senate vote as early as Thursday after clearing an initial cloture vote Wednesday with 50 Democratic and 12 Republican votes.

The bill is among the highest priority…