Biden signs Respect for Marriage Act at White House with 2,500 guests

President Biden signs the Respect for Marriage Act in a celebratory White House South Lawn ceremony with more than 2,500 invited guests, including same-sex couples, civil rights advocates, and bipartisan lawmakers. The law repeals the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, requires all states to recognize lawful marriages regardless of sex or race, and protects the rights of same-sex couples if the Supreme Court were to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges. The legislation passes the Senate 61-36 with 12 Republican votes and the House 258-169. Attendees include Ricky Martin, Cyndi Lauper, and Sam Smith, who performs at the event. Biden declares it "a stamp of certainty" for millions of Americans who have feared their marriages could be invalidated.