The House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act Thursday in a 258-169 vote, which enshrines federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk for his signature. While the law would not prevent states from banning same-sex marriage if the conservative-led Supreme Court overturns Obergefell v. Hodges, it would force those states to recognize marriages from another state. This is Democrat Pramila Jayapal speaking Thursday from the House floor.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: “As the mother of an incredible trans daughter, I’m here to fight for her rights and those of all LGBTQ people, who for too long have been denied the dignity and the respect that they deserve. And as someone who is myself in an interracial marriage, it is far past time that we codify those rights.”

Thirty-nine Republican congressmembers joined with Democrats in supporting marriage equality.