How did United States v. Windsor change the federal government’s treatment of same-sex marriages?

In the 2013 decision United States v. Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which had restricted the definition of marriage for federal purposes to a legal union between one man and one woman.12

By invalidating this provision, the Court held that the federal government could no longer impose "restrictions and disabilities" on same-sex couples who were legally married in states that recognized their unions. This ruling fundamentally changed the federal government's treatment of these couples by:2

• Granting Federal Benefits: Same-sex married couples became eligible for the same federal protections, privileges, and responsibilities afforded to heterosexual married couples. This included access to federal estate-tax exemptions, pension rights, and other tax benefits.132
• Upholding Constitutional Principles: The Court determined that the previous federal policy violated the Fifth Amendment by denying same-sex couples equal protection and due process under the law, effectively demeaning their relationships rather than protecting them.2

This decision marked a significant shift in federal policy, ensuring that same-sex marriages recognized by states were afforded equal dignity and legal standing at the federal level.2