Defense of Marriage Act
Official title: “To define and protect the institution of marriage.”
What this law changes
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Transparency Score
The Transparency Score is the share of this law’s dollars that goes to what the law says it is for. We have not read this law for this section yet.
What this law changes in taxes
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Press releases by members of Congress
No saved press release names this law.
Read from 539 of 539 members' sites, releases since January 3, 2025, through October 8, 2026.
Press releases by organizations
No saved press release from these organizations names this law.
Read from 510 of 510 organizations' sites, releases since January 3, 2025, through October 8, 2026.
How it passed
The House passed it 342 to 67 on July 12, 1996, with 2 members voting Present and 22 who did not vote.
The Senate passed it 85 to 14 on September 10, 1996, with 1 senator who did not vote.
It became law on September 21, 1996.
The question on the official record: House, “On Passage”. Senate, “On Passage of the Bill H.R. 3396”.
| Chamber and party | Yes | No | Present | Did not vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Republicans | 224 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| House Democrats | 118 | 65 | 2 | 13 |
| House independents | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Senate Republicans | 53 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Senate Democrats | 32 | 14 | 0 | 1 |
How each member voted
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Where this comes from
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