PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 7, 1996
Defense of Marriage Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that no State, territory, or possession of the United States or Indian tribe shall be required to give effect to any marriage between persons of the same sex under the laws of any other such jurisdiction or to any right or claim arising from such relationship. Establishes a Federal definition of: (1) "marriage" as only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife; and (2) "spouse" as only a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or wife.
People & committees
Rep. Barr, Bob [R-GA-7] · R–GA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 104-199.
Became Public Law No: 104-199.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 85-14. Record Vote No: 280.
Senate roll call 280 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 85-14. Record Vote No: 280.
Senate roll call 280 · Individual votesMeasure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10100-10125, S10129)
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to consideration withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate. (consideration: CR S9954)
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate. (consideration: CR S9926)
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to consideration presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S9926)
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S9926)
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 499.
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 342 - 67, 2 Present (Roll No. 316).
House roll call 316 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 342 - 67, 2 Present (Roll No. 316).
House roll call 316 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 164 - 249 (Roll no. 315). (consideration: CR H7505)
House roll call 315 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion.
Mr. Berman moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
Mr. Canady raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Canady stated that the amendment contained in the instructions was not germane to the content of the bill and was, therefore, in violation of the rules of the House. Conceded and Sustained by the Chair.
Point of order conceeded and sustained against the motion to recommit with instructions. (consideration: CR H7501-7503)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit the bill with instructions.
Ms. Jackson-Lee (TX) moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3396.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 474, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 15 minutes of debate on the Frank amendment.
Motion to strike the enacting clause withdrawn.
DEBATE - The Committee proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion.
Mr. Gunderson moved to strike the enacting clause.
During the course of debate on the Frank amendment, Mr. Sensenbrenner objected to certain words of Mr. Frank as being unparliamentary and demanded that they be taken down. The Clerk reported the words to the Committee of the Whole. Subsequently, Mr. Sensenbrenner withdrew his demand, and the Committee resumed debate.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 474, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 75 minutes of debate on the Frank amendment.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: 7/11/96 CR H7441-7449)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3396 as unfinished business.
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Canady moved that the Committee rise.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Paul E. Gillmor to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 474 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3396 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 474. (consideration: CR H7480-7506)
Rule H. Res. 474 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 474 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3396 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 339.
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 104-664.
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 104-664.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 10.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 8 - 4.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
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Analyze H.R.3396 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.3396 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.3396 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.3396 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.