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Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Marriage News Watch, 9/3/13

Matt Baum of the American Foundation for Equal Rights reports:




While the news from New Mexico is welcome, it's a pity Matt didn't give the IRS ruling more attention - it's a more momentous turn of events, and will affect millions of couples all across the country.


Update, 9/4: Via Joe.My.God.:
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced Wednesday that President Obama has directed the Executive Branch to take steps allowing for same-sex spouses of military veterans to collect federal benefits. The new policy means that the administration will no longer enforce statutory language governing the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) that restricts the awarding of spousal benefits to opposite-sex marriages only. The language, contained within Title 38 of the U.S. Code, has, until now, prevented the Executive Branch from providing spousal benefits to veterans—and in some instances active-duty service members and reservists—who are in same-sex marriages recognized under state law.

Another update, 9/4: The number of New Mexico counties issuing or about to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples is now up to eight.

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