How did the Respect for Marriage Act change U.S. federal marriage law in 2022?

The Respect for Marriage Act, signed into law in December 2022, fundamentally reshaped U.S. federal marriage law by providing a statutory safeguard for same-sex and interracial marriages.1

Key changes include:

• Federal Definition: The act defines marriage for federal purposes as a legal union between two individuals, provided the union is valid in the jurisdiction where it was entered.1
• Interstate Recognition: It mandates that every U.S. state, territory, and possession must recognize the validity of same-sex and interracial marriages performed in any other U.S. jurisdiction.1
• Repeal of DOMA: The legislation formally repealed the Defense of Marriage Act (1996), which had previously allowed states to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages from other states.1
• Religious Protections: The act includes provisions ensuring that religious institutions and nonprofit religious organizations are not required to provide services or facilities for the solemnization or celebration of such marriages.1

This legislation was enacted to protect these unions as a matter of fundamental equality, ensuring that even if future judicial precedents were to change, the legal recognition of these marriages across state lines remains secure.1