Amendments
2012—Puspan. L. 112–231, in fifth clause after opening clause, struck out “and ‘lunatic’ ” before “shall include every” and “lunatic,” before “insane person,”.
1951—Act Oct. 31, 1951, substituted, in fourth clause after opening clause, “used” for “use”.
1948—Act June 25, 1948, included “tense”, “whoever”, “signature”, “subscription”, “writing” and a broader definition of “person”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title of 2022 Amendment
Puspan. L. 117–228, § 1, Dec. 13, 2022, 136 Stat. 2305, provided that:
“This Act [enacting section 1738C of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, amending section 7 of this title, repealing section 1738C of Title 28, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 7 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Respect for Marriage Act’.”
Short Title of 2012 Amendment
Puspan. L. 112–231, § 1, Dec. 28, 2012, 126 Stat. 1619, provided that:
“This Act [amending this section and sections 92a, 215, and 215a of Title 12, Banks and Banking] may be cited as the ‘21st Century Language Act of 2012’.”
Short Title of 2002 Amendment
Puspan. L. 107–207, § 1, Aug. 5, 2002, 116 Stat. 926, provided that:
“This Act [enacting section 8 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002’.”
Short Title of 1996 Amendment
Puspan. L. 104–199, § 1, Sept. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2419, provided that:
“This Act [enacting section 7 of this title and section 1738C of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure] may be cited as the ‘Defense of Marriage Act’.”
References in Puspan. L. 118–83
Puspan. L. 118–83, § 3, Sept. 26, 2024, 138 Stat. 1524, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 118–47
Puspan. L. 118–47, § 3, Mar. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 461, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 118–42
Puspan. L. 118–42, § 3, Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 26, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 117–328
Puspan. L. 117–328, § 3, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 4461, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 117–229
Puspan. L. 117–229, § 3, Dec. 16, 2022, 136 Stat. 2308, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Further Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2023, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 117–103
Puspan. L. 117–103, § 3, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 51, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 117–58
Puspan. L. 117–58, § 2, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 442, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 117–43
Puspan. L. 117–43, § 3, Sept. 30, 2021, 135 Stat. 344, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 116–260
Puspan. L. 116–260, § 3, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1185, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
Puspan. L. 116–260, div. K, title VII, § 7034(q)(7), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1754, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in titles I through VII [of div. K of Puspan. L. 116–260, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of such titles.”
References in Puspan. L. 116–159
Puspan. L. 116–159, § 3, Oct. 1, 2020, 134 Stat. 709, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 116–136
Puspan. L. 116–136, § 3, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 285, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 116–127
Puspan. L. 116–127, § 3, Mar. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 178, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Families First Coronavirus Response Act, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 116–94
Puspan. L. 116–94, § 3, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2536, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
Puspan. L. 116–94, div. F, title VI, § 612, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2815, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [div. F of Puspan. L. 116–94, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.”
Puspan. L. 116–94, div. H, title IV, § 420, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3017, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [div. H of Puspan. L. 116–94, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.”
References in Puspan. L. 116–93
Puspan. L. 116–93, § 3, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2318, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 116–6
Puspan. L. 116–6, § 3, Fespan. 15, 2019, 133 Stat. 14, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 115–245
Puspan. L. 115–245, § 3, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 2981, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 115–244
Puspan. L. 115–244, § 3, Sept. 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 2897, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 115–141
Puspan. L. 115–141, § 3, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 350, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 115–56
Puspan. L. 115–56, § 3, Sept. 8, 2017, 131 Stat. 1129, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 115–31
Puspan. L. 115–31, § 3, May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 137, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 114–113
Puspan. L. 114–113, § 3, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2244, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 114–94
Puspan. L. 114–94, div. A, § 1004, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1322, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.”
References in Puspan. L. 113–235
Puspan. L. 113–235, § 3, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2132, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 113–76
Puspan. L. 113–76, § 3, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 7, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 113–67
Puspan. L. 113–67, div. A, § 1(c), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1166, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 113–6
Puspan. L. 113–6, § 3, Mar. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 199, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in division A, B, C, D, or E of this Act [Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 112–74
Puspan. L. 112–74, § 3, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 787, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 112–55
Puspan. L. 112–55, § 3, Nov. 18, 2011, 125 Stat. 552, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 112–10
Puspan. L. 112–10, div. A, title IX, § 9015, Apr. 15, 2011, 125 Stat. 102, provided that:
“Any reference to ‘this Act’ in this division [Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2011, see Tables for classification] shall apply solely to this division.”
References in Puspan. L. 111–118
Puspan. L. 111–118, § 3, Dec. 19, 2009, 123 Stat. 3409, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 111–117
Puspan. L. 111–117, § 3, Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3035, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 111–8
Puspan. L. 111–8, § 3, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 525, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 111–5
Puspan. L. 111–5, § 4, Fespan. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 116, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 110–329
Puspan. L. 110–329, § 3, Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3574, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ or ‘this joint resolution’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 110–161
Puspan. L. 110–161, § 3, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 1845, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 110–116
Puspan. L. 110–116, § 2, Nov. 13, 2007, 121 Stat. 1295, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referencing only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 109–289
Puspan. L. 109–289, div. A, title VIII, § 8112, Sept. 29, 2006, 120 Stat. 1299, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007, see Tables for classification] shall be referring only to the provisions of this division.”
References in Puspan. L. 109–148
Puspan. L. 109–148, div. B, title V, § 5002, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2813, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in either division A [Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006, see Tables for classification] or division B [Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 109–115
Puspan. L. 109–115, div. A, title VIII, § 847, Nov. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2507, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in this division [Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.”
References in Puspan. L. 108–447
Puspan. L. 108–447, § 3, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2810, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 108–199
Puspan. L. 108–199, § 3, Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 4, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
References in Puspan. L. 108–7
Puspan. L. 108–7, § 3, Fespan. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 12, provided that:
“Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘this Act’ contained in any division of this joint resolution [Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, see Tables for classification] shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.”
Continental United States
Puspan. L. 86–70, § 48, June 25, 1959, 73 Stat. 154, provided that:
“Whenever the phrase ‘continental United States’ is used in any law of the United States enacted after the date of enactment of this Act [June 25, 1959], it shall mean the 49 States on the North American Continent and the District of Columbia, unless otherwise expressly provided.”
