Shaheen Amendment to the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (S. Amdt. 1494)

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) offered an amendment to the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1735) to extend access to critical veteran spousal benefits to all married same-sex couples.

The Senate defeated the amendment, which needed 60 votes to pass, on June 4, 2015, by a vote of 53-42 (Roll Call Vote No. 203, 1st session, 114th Congress). Democrats – 43 yes, 0 no, 1 not voting; Republicans – 8 yes, 42 no, 4 not voting; Independents – 2 yes, 0 no, 0 not voting. HRC supported the amendment.