1.   And because state law already defines marriages as between a man and a woman, they say the initiative also is unnecessary.

2.   And it defines marriage as exclusively heterosexual when it comes to federal spousal benefits under Medicare, Social Security and other programs.

3.   But this new law also defined marriage as the union between a man and a woman.

4.   California family law defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

5.   California law already defines marriage as between a man and woman, and gay marriages would not be legalized if the initiative fails.

6.   Defined her marriage by it.

7.   He and Tribe said they believe Congress may be able to forcefully argue that it can determine how it wants to define marriage in distributing federal benefits.

8.   However, the bill does not attempt to force that definition on individual states, which retain the right to define marriage any way they choose.

9.   In an affidavit filed last winter, Holland outlined the pattern of violence that defined her marriage.

10.   It would also define marriage as a heterosexual union for such federal purposes as Social Security and immigration law.