Defense Secretary Panetta is expected to extend more benefits to same - sex couples . Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is expected to announce this week that same-sex spouses of service members will be granted some benefits that they had been denied until now , according to an Obama administration official . This , including marriage , would not violate marriage act , gay rights advocates say . Nominee Chuck Baldwin has said he supports the extension of such benefits .
Defense Secretary Panetta is expected to extend more benefits to same - sex couples . This , including marriage , would not violate marriage act , gay rights advocates say . Nominee Chuck Baldwin has said he supports the extension of such benefits .