Grant Military Benefits of 2013 (GMB-13)

The proposed changes to the existing policy are to devise a standard rule for recognizing same-sex marriages, similar to the “uniform rule of recognition” defined by the US Department of Labor (para. 4). The Grant Military Benefits of 2013 (GMB-13), proposes a standard rule for every state when determining whether a same-sex marriage is recognized by federal government, such as those included in all military benefits and the extent to which those benefits can be fully implemented and all obligations fulfilled. For example, federal employees and their qualified family members are protected under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Same-sex marriages, although recognized by the federal government, may live in a state that prohibits same-sex marriages. However, the GMB-13 proposes that federal government recognizes a same-sex marriage, therefore all benefits are available and accessible to the federal employee, spouse, and any dependents. In this case, the non-federal employee, also the same-sex spouse, will be granted the protection of the FMLA if there is a qualifying medical condition. State laws will not be permitted to deny benefits.

Congress has the power to engage Federal Policy to enact this change, according to the U.S. Constitution (U.S. Const. art. 1, §2) granting the federal government the final law. In 1868, Congress was also given the power to enforce the country’s commitment to civil rights for every citizen of the United States. (U.S. Const. amend. XIV, §5).