U.S. House passes bill on marriage equality

WASHINGTON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on marriage equality on Tuesday in a 267-157 vote, with 47 Republicans joining all Democrats in supporting the measure.

The Respect for Marriage Act, which calls for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, will face an uphill battle in the evenly-divided Senate.

Signed into law in 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage for federal purposes as the union of one man and one woman and allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages granted under the laws of other states.

The White House said in a statement that the Respect for Marriage Act "would enshrine the right to Federal recognition of marriage for same-sex and interracial couples."

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional protection of abortion rights for women.

Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas penned a concurring opinion on the decision, signaling rulings on marriage equality and contraception should also be reconsidered.