Pocan Applauds Department of Treasury's Decision to Recognize all Same-Sex Marriages

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, today applauded the decision by the U.S. Department of Treasury to recognize all legally married same-sex couples, regardless of whether or not they live in a state that recognizes same-sex marriage. The ruling means that married same-sex couples, including Pocan and his husband Phil, who were married in Canada in 2006, can now receive all federal marriage-based tax benefits, including employee benefits, child tax credits, and gift and estate taxes.

"I applaud the Department of Treasury for siding with equality and treating all legally married couples in America the same," said Pocan. "Loving same-sex couples should not be afraid they could lose their federal benefits or protections simply by moving to another state. Today's decision continues our nation's forceful progress toward recognizing the rights and responsibilities of all loving couples."

The decision follows the Supreme Court's ruling in June that struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and required the federal government to recognize married same-sex couples in states that recognize same-sex marriage. Today's decision expands on the ruling and recognizes all couples married in jurisdictions that recognize marriage equality.

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