On December 1, 2009, the act passed by a vote of 11–2 on its first reading. The second reading was voted on December 15, 2009 where the measure was again passed by a vote of 11–2. The bill received the Mayor's signature on December 18 and had to survive a 30-day congressional review period before becoming law. It was considered unlikely that the law would be overturned; and the District Government estimated that the law would take effect on March 3, 2010. Marriage licenses became available on March 3, 2010. From that day onwards, the definition of marriage in the District of Columbia has been the following: