Heated Debate As Senate Takes Up Gay Marriage Ban

Heated Debate As Senate Takes Up Gay Marriage Ban
by Paul Johnson
365Gay.com Newscenter
Washington Bureau Chief

Posted: July 9, 2004 5:01 pm ET

(Washington) A deeply divided Senate Friday afternoon began debate on the Federal Marriage Amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

"We are here today because traditional marriage is under assault," declared Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo) the chief sponsor of the measure as he opened the debate in the ornate Senate chamber.

Calling traditional marriage a pillar of civilization Allard said "This assault has taken place in our courts and often in direct conflict with the will of the people."

"We must act," said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch R-Utah). "We need to send a message to our children about marriage and traditional life and values."

Democrats accuse the Republicans of playing politics to energize their conservative base and deflect attention from the economy and homeland security.

"I think it's wrong," said Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt). "The Constitution is too important to be made a bulletin board for campaign sloganeering."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif), accused Republicans of posturing knowing full well the measure is "doomed".

Most political observers including many Republicans acknowledge they do not have the two-thirds vote needed to adopt the amendment.

"We may not get the votes we need the first year, but this is not viewed a one year project," Allard said. "We're going to work at it."

The Senate gallery was packed with supporters of both sides of the issue.

"We're cautiously optimistic," Human Rights Campaign spokesperson Steven Fisher told 365Gay.com.

"This is clearly a ploy designed to play on bigotry and incite fear to win votes," said Ron Schlittler, executive director of PFLAG.

"Many Senators, Republicans and Democrats, believe that our Constitution should not be used as a tool of government enforced discrimination; however, the Republican leadership that supports the Federal Marriage Amendment is not interested in a substantive debate of the issue. Their goal is to placate a radical right-wing faction by altering the Constitution to suit their own personal prejudice."

Gay Republicans also denounced the measure.

"GOP Senate leaders admit they don't have the votes for passage, yet they're wasting valuable time dividing the American family, instead of doing the people's business," said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Patrick Guerriero in a statement.

"This is political showmanship of the worst kind. It divides the American family at a time when we should be uniting to win the war on terror and tackle the other challenges facing our nation."

On the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, President Bush called on Congress to approve the proposed amendment.

"I believe in the sanctity of marriage," drawing applause from supporters at a rally at Kutztown University.

Debate in the Senate is expected to continue Monday and Tuesday with a vote likely on Wednesday.

The issue was not scheduled to come to the floor of the Senate until Monday, but Thursday, the GOP leadership quietly moved it up. (story)

One of the reasons, according to sources in the Republican leadership, was a bid to get media coverage before Sunday, the day set aside by Christian fundamentalists for "Protect Marriage Sunday".

Jerry Falwell, Gary Bauer, Paul Weyrich, James Dobson, Tony Perkins, and others are calling for preachers to use Sunday to preach support for the amendment.

A live program, "Battle For Marriage," has also been scheduled to be aired Sunday evening on various Christian television networks.

Conservative groups will use Sunday services to urge churchgoers to call and email their senators to vote for the amendment.

©365Gay.com 2004