Senate negotiators working on a bill to codify marriage equality protections have expressed optimism that the legislation could be passed by the end of this month. The Respect for Marriage Act passed earlier this summer in the House of Representatives, with just 47 Republicans voting in its favor. The bill faces greater obstacles in the Senate, however, where it needs 60 votes to overcome a filibuster so it can be passed. If the bill does pass in the Senate, President Joe Biden has said that he will sign it into law. Some Republicans have expressed a willingness to support the…