The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill protecting gay marriage rights, after The Supreme Court‘s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade imperiled similar precedents that protected rights to same-sex relations and contraception.
The bill, which passed the Democratic-controlled chamber by a vote of 267-157 with support from 47 Republicans, establishes federal protections for gay marriage and prohibits anyone from denying the validity of a marriage based on the race or sex of the couple.
Under the House bill, states could still restrict gay marriage if the Supreme Court overturns its prior ruling. But such states would be required to recognize marriages that occurred in states where they remain legal.