The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to pass a bill that would codify same-sex marriage.
Lawmakers passed The Respect for Marriage Act, 267-157, with 47 Republicans joining Democrats, including GOP leader Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY) and National Republican Congressional Committee chair Tom Emmer (MN).
CNN reports House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said, “it is critical to ensure that federal law protects those whose constitutional rights might be threatened by Republican-controlled state legislatures. LGBTQ Americans and those in interracial marriages deserve to have certainty that they will continue to have their right to equal marriage recognized, no matter where they live.”
The bill now moves to the Senate, where at least 10 Republicans would need to join Democrats before reaching President Joe Biden’s desk. It would also legalize interracial marriage, even though the Supreme Court protected interracial marriage in a ruling back in the 1960s.
CSPAN Capitol Hill producer Craig Caplan reports the Biden administration’s support for the bill.
“No person should face discrimination because of who they are or whom they love,& every married couple in the U.S. deserves the security of knowing their marriage will be defended & respected,” White House officials said.
This is a developing story; refresh the page for updates.