The US Senate voted to proceed to debate on legislation that would codify same-sex marriage protections in the country.
Senators on Wednesday voted 62-37 to advance the measure, with a dozen Republicans joining with all Democrats in the chamber to support it, Xinhua news agency reported.
They are expected to vote again on Thursday to invoke cloture, potentially setting up a final vote by the end of the week.
The Respect for Marriage Act was introduced this summer after a conservative Supreme Court justice signaled rulings on marriage equality and contraception should be reconsidered.
The bill cleared the US House of Representatives, also with bipartisan support, in July.
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US President Joe Biden on Wednesday urged Congress to pass the legislation "quickly" and send it to his desk for signature.
