The bill is expected to head soon to the Texas House after winning preliminary approval in the Senate 21-10.

"If we don't do this, we are discriminating against people of faith," said Republican state Sen. Brian Birdwell who sponsored the bill.  

The move comes nearly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2015 decision legalizing gay marriage, but that's because the Texas Legislature only meets every two years.

State Sen. Sylvia Garcia, a Houston Democrat and former judge, says the law is unnecessary since Texas officials have been issuing marriage licenses for nearly two years without objection. 

However, supporters of the bill say it's needed to protect the religious freedoms for people of faith. 

Another state pushing back against the legalization of gay marriage is North Carolina. Legislators there are working to pass a bill that would make gay marriage illegal again. House Bill 780 is titled "Uphold Historical Marriage Act," and it declares the Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling "null and void in the State of North Carolina." 

The News & Observer reports the sponsors are contending that marriage is a states-rights issue.

Their plan would order state government to return to the constitutional amendment known as Amendment One, which was approved in a 2012 voter referendum. It also says that same-sex marriages performed in other states wouldn't be recognized in North Carolina.

The bill says the high court overstepped its authority, and the authority of Almighty God.

Here's what it states: 

"The ruling of the United States Supreme Court not only exceeds the authority of the Court relative to the State of North Carolina and a vote of the People of the State on an issue pertaining solely to the State of North Carolina and the People of North Carolina but also exceeds the authority of the Court relative to the decree of Almighty God that "a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24, ESV) and abrogates the clear meaning and understanding of marriage in all societies throughout prior history."

CBN News

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'We've Been Silent Too Long': Texas Towns Take a Stand, Become Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn

'He's Completely Remarkable': Boy Born With No Brain Makes Incredible Progress after Parents Urged to Abort

'This Is a Truly Historic and Important Moment for Jewish Americans': President Trump to Sign Executive Order Addressing Anti-Semitism in US Education

Israeli Researchers Develop Technique That Could Lead to Less Electrical Energy Usage

This Company's Founder Just Gave His Employees the Christmas Surprise of Their Lives

'Zuzu' and 'Tommy' from 'It's A Wonderful Life' Reflect on the Iconic Movie and James Stewart: 'He was a wonderful man, He touched a lot of lives, just being him. He was George Bailey in real life'

Sean Hannity Opens Up about His Faith: 'I'm An Aspiring Christian'

President Trump Tells the Incredible Story behind the Prayer and Song, 'God Bless America'

President Trump Scores Big Win for American Workers as Dems Sign On to USMCA Deal Replacing NAFTA

Democrats Unveil 2 'Articles of Impeachment' against President Trump

Attorney General Bill Barr Just Issued a Translation of the DOJ IG Report & It's a Red-Hot Rebuke of 'Intrusive' Spying on Trump

Anti-Religion Group Asks Alabama Sheriff to Stop Referencing Prayer after Tragedies

Poll: Overwhelming Majority of Americans Want Abortion Industry Held to Higher Medical Standards

HEALTH Breakthrough: These Micro Implants in the Spinal Column Could Restore Standing and Walking, Possibly Within a Decade

Louie Giglio's New Children's Devotional Works to Close the Gap between Faith and Science

Remembering 'God's General' Reinhard Bonnke: 'Jesus Did Not Call Us to Deliver Sermons, He Called Us to Deliver People'

Pro-Life Win: Supreme Court Upholds Kentucky Ultrasound Law

Guatemala's New President to Designate Hezbollah as a Terrorist Organization: 'The Friends of Israel Are Our Friends and the Enemies of Israel Are Our Enemies'

CEO Pays for Military Members to Fly Home for Christmas, Sparking Generous Trend: 'Anybody Could Do This'

[Watch] The Moment This Deaf Baby Hears Her Mum's Voice after Her Hearing Aids Are Switched On: 'Her Face Lights Up'