In the United States, that power has always belonged to the legislatures of individual states. In 1996, however, the U.S. Congress enacted a law prohibiting the recognition of some marriages.
Family Laws
Yes; in the United States, Congress has the power to enact new laws concerning intellectual property and to amend existing legislation.
The government must enact laws to achieve its goals.
In the United States, Congress has the power to enact new laws concerning intellectual property and to amend existing legislation.
Enact WHAT laws? Give example please.
Washington, DC, which is the only city in the United States to have legalized same-sex marriage. The District of Columbia is the only city in the country that is part of any state. In the United States, marriage laws are controlled by the states, not cities. No city has the authority to pass laws concerning marriage. This is why some municipalities have passed local laws concerning domestic partnerships.
Because marriage laws vary from country to country and from region to region. In the United States, each state has its own marriage laws. Some states permit same-sex marriage and some do not. This corresponds to the eagerness or reluctance of the legislature and/or judiciary of each state to enact or order marriage equality.
The individual state legislatures enact the laws concerning marriage licenses. These then empower town clerks, city clerks and county clerks to "make" and issue the licenses pursuant to applicable state law.
The local townfolks try to enact their own laws.
No laws have passed in Iowa concerning same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage is legal in Iowa pursuant to an order by the Iowa State Supreme Court dated April 3, 2009.
The United States constitution gives Congress the power to enact criminal laws.
The people who live and work in the United States follow whatever laws concerning same-sex marriage apply to them in the state where they are located. People in other countries do the same.