House Democrats Defeat Anti-Marriage Amendment
(Tuesday, July 18, 2006)
Washington, DC - National Stonewall Democrats today praised the Democratic defeat of proposed constitutional amendment pushed by Congressional Republicans and the Bush Administration that would have barred marriage recognition for same-sex couples. 159 Democrats and 27 Republicans voted against the amendment, while 34 Democrats and 202 Republicans voted in favor. A two-thirds vote was required for passage. Earlier this summer, the United States Senate rejected a similar amendment, where it failed to win even a simple majority.
"Marriage is an institution that strengthens the American family, and it should be legally extended to all couples," said Jo Wyrick, NSD Executive Director. "Americans should be allowed the freedom to discuss this issue at their dinner tables and in their houses of worship. Instead, Republicans would rather use this debate to divide the public through poor policy that attacks the Constitution. House Republicans have twice failed to force through this discriminatory amendment, just as they continue to fail the American public through their misguided priorities."
House Joint Resolution 88 was strongly opposed by the Democratic Leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives. During the hours-long debate, leading Democrats took to the floor of the House of Representatives to denounce the amendment as discriminatory and contrary to the federal principals of the Republic. The only House Members speaking in favor of the amendment were Republicans.
"The only institution that this amendment is designed to protect is the influx of special interest campaign cash to the Republican Party," said Wyrick. "The small minority of Democrats who could not understand that fact, and who voted for this amendment, do not deserve the support of our community."
34 Democrats voted in favor of the amendment. In 2004, that number was 36.
This is the second time that the United States House of Representatives has rejected attempts to amend the United States Constitution in order to create permanent marriage discrimination. In the summer of 2004, the House also rejected the measure.
In order for the U.S. Constitution to be amended, an amendment must be passed by two-thirds of the members of the U.S. Senate and two-thirds of the U.S. House of Representatives. An approved amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the states, who have up to seven years to ratify the amendment.
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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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