Joe Mahoney reports in the Press Republican that Rep. Elise Stefanik was the only member of the House Republican leadership team to vote on Dec. 8 in favor of a final measure giving federal recognition to same sex and interracial unions. Only 39 Republican representatives voted with all 219 Democrats for the Respect for Marriage Act. Stefanik spokesperson Palmer Brigham said the congresswoman’s vote is in line with “her views on how states should respect concealed carry permits and military family spousal licensing.... Just as she believes concealed carry permits should be recognized from state to state, this bill will ensure if a marriage is recognized in one state, it is recognized in another,” Brigham added. “This bill includes important provisions to uphold religious liberty and not encroach on the sincerely-held beliefs of Americans.” Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, a Republican who begins representing New York’s 19th Congressional District in January, said he would have supported the legislation. Democrats Paul Tonko and Pat Ryan also voted for the bill. Read the full story in the Press Republican.