The Senate voted 61 to 36 on Tuesday to codify same-sex and interracial marriages in federal law, mostly in case the Supreme Court overturns precedents granting both types of marriage equality constitutional protections nationwide. The bipartisan vote puts the Respect for Marriage Act on a relatively smooth path to President Biden for his signature.
Twelve Republicans joined all Democrats present to pass the measure and send it back to the House. The House passed the Respect for Marriage Act in July, but the Senate modified the bill with bipartisan amendments underscoring protections for religious liberties and clarifying that only marriages between two people will be federally sanctioned. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told NBC News the lower chamber could voted on the modified bill as early as Tuesday. Biden said he will "promptly and proudly" sign it as soon as it lands on his desk.
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