House passes historic marriage equality bill

The House on Thursday passed a bill to codify federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages, which will now go to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature.

The Respect for Marriage Act passed with bipartisan support in a 258 to 169 vote. Thirty-nine Republicans joined Democrats in voting yes on the bill.

A signing ceremony is scheduled for Thursday that will include Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. David Cicilline, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Jerry Nadler and Sen. Susan Collins. Former Rep. Barney Frank, an openly gay Democrat who has long fought for marriage equality, was present for the vote on the House floor on Thursday.

Pelosi, who is leaving her post as House Democratic leader, has said she is "particularly happy" the Respect for Marriage Act will be one of the last bills she signs in her role.

Speaking on the House floor ahead of the vote, Pelosi called the legislation "a historic step forward in Democrats' fight to defend the dignity and equality of every American."

"Once signed into law, the Respect for Marriage Act will help prevent right-wing extremists from upending the lives of loving couples traumatizing kids across the country, and turning back the clock on hard-won progress," she said.

Ensuring same-sex marriage rights are protected between states became a top priority for Democrats in light of the Supreme Court's June decision to overrule its precedent in 1973's Roe v. Wade guaranteeing a constitutional right to abortion.

Justice Clarence Thomas indicated in a concurring opinion at the time that he would like to see the court reverse the 2015 ruling Obergefell v. Hodges guaranteeing the national right to same-sex marriage, which was decided on similar grounds as Roe.

The Respect for Marriage Act will not codify Obergefell and set a national requirement that all states must license same-sex marriages. But it will require individual states to recognize a same-sex (or interracial) marriage that was lawfully performed in another state.

The Senate passed the bill last week, 61-36 -- marking a victory for Democrats during the lame-duck after months of negotiations with Republicans. Twelve members of the GOP voted in support of the legislation.

The House passed a similar version of this legislation earlier this year, with 47 Republicans supporting it. The Senate version includes new language to ease some GOP concerns about religious freedom.

ABC News' Allison Pecorin, Will Steakin and Gabe Ferris contributed to this report.