think-progress:Lawmakers Urge New Congress To Close Marriage Equality LoopholesWhen the Supreme Cour
think-progress:Lawmakers Urge New Congress To Close Marriage Equality LoopholesWhen the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Windsor that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutionally prevented the federal government from legally recognizing same-sex marriage, it opened the door to same-sex couples receiving many of the federal benefits of marriage. DOMA, however, remains on the books, and a number of hurdles remain for same-sex couples that only Congress can rectify.The 114th Congress is only a day old, but several bills have already been introduced to clean up the fringes of the law where married same-sex couples are still experiencing discrimination. In the Senate, for example, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced the Copyright and Marriage Equality Act, which addresses provisions in the Copyright Act that limit a spouse’s right to inheritance. Its definition of “widow” and “widower” assume a different-sex relationship, and Leahy’s bill would correct this technicality so that same-sex couples enjoy the same inheritance benefits.THIS | Follow ThinkProgress -- source link