House lawmakers on July 19 passed legislation codifying marriage equality at the federal level in an effort to solidify legal protections for LGBTQ couples just weeks after the Supreme Court eviscerated abortion rights around the country.
The House voted 267-157 to approve the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, drawing 47 Republicans votes in support of the measure. Congressmembers Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise — the top two Republicans in the House — opposed the bill, but No. 3 Republican Elise Stefanik of New York voted in favor of it. The House bill secured 179 co-sponsors.
