House votes to protect same-sex marriage

[Midnight]

House votes to protect same-sex marriage in case the Supreme Court rescinds it

The Democratic-controlled chamber sent the bill to the Senate where its prospects are uncertain as it'll require at least 10 Republican votes to pass.


July 19, 2022, 5:59 PM EDT / Updated July 19, 2022, 8:07 PM EDT

By Sahil Kapur and Kyle Stewart


WASHINGTON — The House passed the Respect For Marriage Act Tuesday to codify legal same-sex marriage nationwide, fearing that the conservative majority on the Supreme Court will rescind the right after it overturned Roe v. Wade last month.



The vote was 267-157, with 47 Republicans joining a unanimous Democratic caucus in supporting the legislation.



Among the GOP lawmakers who voted for the measure were Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 3 Republican in the House, and Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming. House Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, head of the House Republicans' campaign arm, also backed the bill.



House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy of California and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana voted against the measure.



The bill would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996, enshrine legal same-sex marriage for the purposes of federal law, and add legal protections for married couples of the same sex.

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