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Defense of Marriage Act

Introduced: July 29, 1996 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 29, 1996
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Jul 29, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9073)
Jul 29, 1996
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Defense of Marriage Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that no State, territory, or possession of the United States or Indian tribe shall be required to give effect to any marriage between persons of the same sex under the laws of any other such jurisdiction or to any right or claim arising from such relationship.

Establishes a Federal definition of: (1) "marriage" as only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife; and (2) "spouse" as only a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or wife.

What's happening now July 29, 1996

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1