Washington, July 20: The US House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act to enshrine federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. Lawmakers passed the bill on Tuesday evening in a vote of 267-157, with 47 Republicans joining Democrats in support of the measure.
US Congressmen Ted Lieu said the legislation protects marriage equality under federal law and provides additional protections at the state level. The bill repeals the Defense of Marriage Act, a law passed under former President Bill Clinton defining marriage for federal purposes as being between one man and one woman.
The bill also requires interstate recognition of any marriages considered valid in the states where they were officialized.
The legislation came in response to a US Supreme Court opinion written by Justice Clarence Thomas that suggested previous court precedents such as those protecting same-sex marriage could be reconsidered by the bench. (UNI)
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