FILE - In this March 21, 2012, file photo, Norwich University cadet Joshua Fontanez, who laid the groundwork for the school's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Club, stands on the parade ground. (AP Photo/Toby …
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will deploy a second squadron of the MV-22 Osprey to Okinawa …
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) — The U.S. service academies are ramping up efforts to …
CAIRO (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel indicated on Wednesday that he was caught…
Updated: Thursday, 28 Jun 2012, 1:30 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 19 Jun 2012, 6:49 AM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) - A Democratic congressman wants same-sex benefits for spouses of veterans and service members.
Rep. Adam Smith of Washington is top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. Smith is introducing legislation to make the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments recognize any marriage that has been recognized by a state, the District of Columbia, commonwealths or territories.
His bill would change the definition of spouse in the U.S. code to include same-sex marriages.
Gay marriage is now legal in the District of Columbia and six states — Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.
Smith says spouses of service members should not be barred from receiving benefits because they are in same-sex marriages.
Gays now serve openly in the military.
Ground rules for posting comments: No profanity or personal attacks. Please comment on the subject of the story itself. If you do not follow these rules, we will remove your post. Keep it civil, folks!
Our commenting section is powered by IntenseDebate. If you registered for an account but didn't receive a verification e-mail, check your spam folder or click here for more information. For additional technical help, click here.
Email This
Print This
View Story on a Single Page
