![High Court Strikes Down Federal Marriage Provision](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2013/06/DOMA-630x420.jpg?w=980&q=75)
High Court Strikes Down Federal Marriage Provision
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says legally married same-sex couples should get the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples.
The court invalidated a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act Wednesday that has prevented married gay couples from receiving a range of tax, health and retirement benefits that are generally available to married people.
The vote was 5-4.
In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court has cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California by holding that defenders of California's gay marriage ban did not have the right to appeal lower court rulings striking down the ban.
The court's 5-4 vote Wednesday leaves in place the initial trial court declaration that the ban is unconstitutional. California officials probably will rely on that ruling to allow the resumption of same-sex unions in about a month's time.
More From Y95 Country
![June Is The Month For Marriage. 8 Wedding Traditions Explained](http://townsquare.media/site/481/files/2021/06/RS2788_000007927325.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Do Wyomingites Allow Their Significant Other Access To Their Phones? [POLL]](http://townsquare.media/site/147/files/2017/08/RS16439_504374012.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Yellowstone Webcam Catches Marriage Proposal Perfectly Timed With Dual Geyser Eruptions [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2014/10/Old-Faithful.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Wyoming Supreme Court Censures Pinedale Judge Who Refused to Perform Same-Sex Marriages](http://townsquare.media/site/99/files/2013/11/Wyoming_Supreme_Court_Building-2012_07_15_1441-630x418.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![First Marriage License Application Filled Out For Same-Sex Couples In Albany County [PHOTOS]](http://townsquare.media/site/106/files/2014/10/Same-Sex-Marriage-13.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Should Same Sex Marriage Be Legalized In Wyoming? [RESULTS]](http://townsquare.media/site/245/files/2014/05/samesex1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Bill Would Allow Same-Sex Marriage in Wyoming](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2013/05/5.08-Same-Sex-Marriage.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Marriage Proposal On-Stage Before Jason Aldean Concert at Cheyenne Frontier Days [PICTURES & VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/48/files/2013/07/AA_FeatureKnee.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Epic Marriage Proposal at Foster the People Concert Set Up via Tweet](http://townsquare.media/site/107/files/2012/06/marriage-proposal-foster-the-people-concert.jpg?w=980&q=75)