The 30-day Congressional review period for D.C. legislation that would recognize gay marriages performed in other states expired at 12:01 this morning.

Congress has the power to review any bill passed in D.C. in the 30 days after it is signed. But if it is not reviewed or challenged in that time, the bill automatically becomes law.

The bill stipulates that same-sex couples who have married in a different state retain the rights of a married couple in the District. Same-sex marriage has been approved in Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Gay marriages were also performed in California before Proposition 8, a ballot vote to ban same-sex marriages, was passed in late 2008.

Passed in May by the D.C. City Council, the legislation drew sharp protest from some black reverends and leaders, including the lone dissenter on the vote, councilmember Marion Barry, D-Ward 8.

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signed the bill the day after it was passed.