{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20130722051954/http://titus.house.gov:80/media-center/press-releases/titus-announces-legislation-to-extend-va-benefits-to-same-sex-spouses", "Titus Announces Legislation to Extend VA Benefits to Same-Sex Spouses", "2013-06-27", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "NV", "Dina Titus", "T000468", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "*Watch Floor Speech Here*\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada\u2019s First District today introduced the Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act. H.R. 2529 would amend the Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 definition of the term \u201cspouse\u201d, in Section 101 of title 38, United States Code, as \u201can individual of the opposite sex\u201d to reflect the new State definition of a spouse. Yesterday\u2019s Supreme Court decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act effectively extends thousands of federal benefits to same-sex couples, including those provided by the VA. Titus\u2019 bill would align the VA with the nation\u2019s laws and extend eligibility of VA benefits to same-sex military spouses. \u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cFor far too long, DOMA denied legally married, same-sex couples access to federal benefits, including those provided by the VA. But with yesterday's decisions, the Supreme Court sent a clear message that all Americans, gay or straight, must be afforded equal protection under the law,\u201d said Titus. \u201cThe Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act would align the VA with our nation\u2019s laws and extend benefits to thousands of deserving military spouses. I\u2019m proud to defend all those who have bravely served in our Armed Forces, as well as their families.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://web.archive.org/web/20130722051954/http://titus.house.gov:80/media-center/press-releases/titus-announces-legislation-to-extend-va-benefits-to-same-sex-spouses"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8266433142125607, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}