(Radio Iowa) – Local Republican committees in at least six Iowa counties have voted to censure U.S. Senator Joni Ernst for her vote to have the federal government recognize same-sex marriages. The move means all states must recognize same-sex marriages from other states, but Ernst says it does not force states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

“Iowa has recognized same-sex marriage since 2009,” Ernst says. “The vast majority of Iowans, even a majority of Republicans, do support same-sex marriage.” County party officials who’ve criticized Ernst say her vote violates the Iowa G-O-P’s platform, which calls for the REPEAL of laws that recognize same-sex marriage.

“After hearing directly from Iowans and taking a close look at the amended language that was presented in the Senate, I believe that the bill does protect religious freedoms,” Ernst says. “and it simply maintains the status quo in Iowa.” Woodbury County Republicans have not voted to censure Ernst, but the group’s Facebook page features a local pastor criticizing Ernst for denying what the pastor refers to as Biblical law.

During a conference call with Iowa reporters, Ernst said the bill codified exemptions for religious institutions that do not wish to recognize same-sex unions.  “This is incredibly important that I get these points out,” Ernst says. “The bill does not provide a federal right for same-sex marriage.” According to Ernst, the bill also has new and explicit protections for non-profit religious organizations. Ernst was among a dozen Republican senators who supported the bill. And Ernst says she understands there are a number of efforts to censure her for that vote.

“I stand by my vote,” Ernst told reporters, “and I hope that more people will actually read the bill and understand that we have just improved upon religious liberty protections, not just in Iowa but across the United States.” This summer, the Mahaska County G-O-P voted to censure Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of LeClaire for her support of the initial bill on same-sex marriage. On December 1st, the Des Moines County G-O-P voted to condemn both Miller-Meeks and Ernst.

The Wright County G-O-P’s Central Committee is another group that’s voted to censure Ernst and its Facebook page is calling for a constitutional amendment defining legal marriage as the union between one man and one woman.