“The extremist right-wing majority on the Supreme Court has put our country down a perilous path,” said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., in a floor speech setting Tuesday’s debate in motion. “It’s time for our colleagues across the aisle to stand up and be counted. Will they vote to protect these fundamental freedoms? Or will they vote to let states take those freedoms away?”

Republicans steered clear of openly rejecting gay marriage. Instead, they mostly portrayed the bill as unnecessary.

Tuesday’s election-year roll call, 267-157, was partly political strategy, forcing all House members to go on the record. It also reflected the legislative branch pushing back against a Supreme Court that has raised questions about revisiting other apparently settled U.S. laws.

Wary of political fallout, GOP leaders did not press their members to hold the party line against the bill, aides said. In all, 47 Republicans joined all Democrats in voting for passage.

“For me, this is personal,” said Rep. Mondaire Jones, D-N.Y., who said he was among the openly gay members of the House. “Imagine telling the next generation of Americans, my generation, we no longer have the right to marry who we love. Congress can’t allow that to happen.”

While the Respect for Marriage Act easily passed the House, it is likely to stall in the Senate, where most Republicans would likely join a filibuster to block it. It’s one of several bills, including those enshrining abortion access, that Democrats are proposing to confront the court’s conservative majority. Another bill, guaranteeing access to contraceptive services, is set for a vote later this week.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., declined to express his view on the bill, leaving an open question over how strongly his party would fight it.

Key Republicans in the House have shifted in recent years on the same-sex marriage issue, including Rep. Liz Cheney, of Wyoming, who joined those voting in favor of the act Tuesday.

A Gallup poll in June showed support for same-sex marriage, with 70% of surveyed U.S. adults saying they think such unions should be recognized by law as valid. The poll showed majority support among both Democrats (83%) and Republicans (55%). Approval of interracial marriage in the U.S. hit a six-decade high at 94% in September, according to Gallup.

Ahead of Tuesday’s vote, some solons joined protesters demonstrating against the June 24 abortion ruling outside the Supreme Court. Capitol Police said 16 members of Congress were arrested.