Federal law now bans first-cousin marriage, overriding state choice.
H.R. 8634 — Consanguineous Marriage Prohibition Act of 2026 · Filed by Keith Self (R-TX) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Apr 30, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill amends federal law to prohibit marriages between people who are closely related by blood or marriage (up to and including first cousins). It does this by modifying the definition of who may legally marry under federal law, affecting federal recognition of marriages and potentially state law where federal standards apply.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is to restrict eligibility for federal marriage recognition based on genetic or marital relationship. It is a straightforward family law amendment with no hidden provisions or riders.
What the text implies
- May create conflict between federal and state law in states that currently permit first-cousin marriage, potentially invalidating existing marriages or creating dual-status uncertainty.
- Affects federal benefits (Social Security, tax filing, immigration sponsorship) for couples in close relationships, even in states where such marriage is legal under state law.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
The bill restricts the fundamental right to marry for a defined class of citizens (those related by blood or marriage within first-cousin degree). While some states already prohibit such marriages, this bill imposes a federal floor that overrides state law permitting such unions, removing choice from citizens in states that currently allow first-cousin marriage and potentially affecting existing marriages' federal recognition.