The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation Thursday (258-169). This would codify same-sex marriage protections into statute, despite opposition from many GOP lawmakers who claim the bill’s language violates religious freedoms. The bill will be sent to President Biden for his signature.

With the support of some Republicans, House Democrats supported the Respect for Marriage Act. This repeals the Defense of Marriage Act which legally defined marriage between one man or one woman. It also allows states to not recognize same-sex marriages in other states.

Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker, stated last week that the chamber would vote on Tuesday. However, due to a jam-packed lame-duck session just before the end, lawmakers postponed the vote until Thursday.

The bill will not require states to allow gay couples to marry in accordance with the Obergefell-v. Hodges Supreme Court decision. However, it would make it clear that “person acting under the color of State law” can recognize marriage between people in another state. The federal government must also recognize marriages that were valid in the state in which they occurred.

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House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said when the lower chamber passed a previous bill version, “it is critical to ensure that federal law protects those whose constitutional rights might be threatened by Republican-controlled state legislatures.”

Hoyer stated that “LGBTQ Americans, and interracial couples, deserve to be certain that their right to equal marriage will continue to be recognized regardless of where they live.”

This vote follows landmark legislation that was passed by the U.S. Senate. It codifies federal protections interracial marriages. Senate Democrats had managed to get 10 GOP votes, enough to pass the 60-vote filibuster threshold.

Senator Mike Lee (R.UT) called upon his Republican colleagues to support the legislation that includes protections for anyone who holds a religious belief or moral conviction.

Lee introduced an amendment that prohibits federal bureaucrats discriminating against individuals and organizations of religious faith by removing tax-exempt status, licenses or contracts or any other benefits.

He wrote that instead of exposing churches, religious nonprofits, or persons of conscience to undue surveillance or punishment by the Federal Government because of their views about marriage, we should explicitly clarify that this legislation doesn’t constitute a national policy endorsing one particular view of marriage which threatens the tax exempt status of faith-based non-profits. Let us ensure that churches, religious charities, universities, and other religious institutions are not subject to litigation as we move forward.

Utah Senator Mitt Romney voted for the bill. He said that it wouldn’t affect private individuals and businesses already protected under the law.

Romney stated in a statement that “This legislation provides important safeguards for religious liberty –measures which are especially important to protect religious freedoms of faith-based institutions,” Romney added. Obergefell, which I believe in traditional marriage is the law of the land upon the LGBTQ have relied. This legislation gives certainty to many LGBTQ Americans and signals that Congress and I respect and love all Americans equally.

Now, the bill is headed to President Joe Biden’s desk. He has promised to sign it into law.