House Begins Debate On Gay Marriage Amendment

House Begins Debate On Gay Marriage Amendment
by Paul Johnson
365Gay.com Newscenter
Washington Bureau Chief
Posted: September 30, 2004 2:03 pm ET

(Washington) The US House of Representatives began debate Thursday afternoon of a proposed amendment to the Constitution to bar same-sex marriage with a vote expected later today.

In kicking off the debate the sponsor of the bill, Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.) denounced what she called "activist judges" who were attempting to impose their views "against the will of the people".

The vote has little chance of passage, a fact acknowledged earlier this week by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, but it will force members of both parties to publicly state their position on the issue of gay marriage. (story)

Amending the Constitution is complex. A proposed amendment must pass the House and the Senate with a two-thirds vote in each chamber. It must then be ratified by three-quarters of the states.

The GOP sees same-sex marriage as a defining issue in November's election. It has electrified the party's conservative base, with political action groups mounting large campaigns to urge followers to call their congressmen and demand they vote for the ban.

But, it has also divided the party. Last month Vice President Dick Cheney, with his lesbian daughter in the audience, told a campaign rally in Davenport, Iowa that the issue should be left up to states. (states)

When the proposed amendment came up in the Senate it was defeated (story) party due to disarray within the GOP.

President Bush supports the amendment. His opponent, Sen. John Kerry while opposing same-sex marriage, does not support a constitutional amendment. Kerry is on record supporting civil unions and legal protections for gay couples.

LGBT civil rights groups attacked the scheduled vote. Human Rights Campaign spokesperson Steven Fisher called it an example of the divisive "politics of distraction" being practiced by the GOP.