Other names for this bill...
This law often is referred to by the acronym for Defense of Marriage Act - DOMA.
What the Defense of Marriage Act says
There are two main provisions to the Defense of Marriage Act...
o No state is required to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex who were married in a state where same-sex marriage is legal.
o Any law or other act of Congress that applies to married couples applies only to "a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife". In a practical sense, it means that same-sex couples are banned from receiving federal benefits such as Social Security survivors' benefits.
o Any law or other act of Congress that applies to married couples applies only to "a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife". In a practical sense, it means that same-sex couples are banned from receiving federal benefits such as Social Security survivors' benefits.
2013: Supreme Court overturns DOMA
The Supreme Court ruled on June 26, 2013 that couples in a same-sex marriage are entitled to federal benefits - striking down the may provision of this law.
The case was U.S. v. Windsor.
For more, read the Lobby99 report.