The historic legislation, which passed 258 to 169, codifies protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. It only passed because 39 Republicans also voted for it.
The passage of the same-sex marriage bill became urgent after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade earlier this year, after 50 years of precedent.
While repealing the Defense of Marriage Act — the 1996 federal law that banned same-sex marriage — the bill also requires states to recognize valid same-sex marriages from other states. It also ensures the same protections for interracial marriages.
When declaring that the bill passed the house, a visibly moved Nancy Pelosi said:
‘I was emotional, I’m sorry,’ she said after banging the gavel several times on the desk.
This is a tremendous win for the Speaker of the House, and a fitting conclusion to her years of service.
