House passes the Respect for Marriage Act

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday gave final passage to the so-called Respect for Marriage Act that would codify same-sex marriage into federal law. The law passed the House by a 258-169 vote, as 39 Republicans joined all Democrats in support of the bill. While the bill is intended to codify the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges that found a constitutional right to same-sex civil marriages, others–including the USCCB–contend that the Act does not contain sufficient religious liberty protections. 

The bill now goes to President Joe Biden, who has said he will sign it into law.