Fight for marriage continues in Congress

By Tom Strode - Aug 13, 2004

It appears the House of Representatives will vote on a constitutional amendment to protect marriage before it adjourns, even though the Senate has already rejected such an effort.

Supporters of H.J. Res. 56, sponsored by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R.-Colo., report the House is expected to vote on the proposal the week of Sept. 20 or shortly thereafter. The amendment has been named the Federal Marriage Amendment, but at least some proponents of the measure are referring to it now as the Marriage Protection Amendment. The amendment would define marriage as only between a man and a woman. It also is designed to prevent courts from legalizing same-sex “marriage.”

The Federal Marriage Amendment failed in a procedural vote in the Senate July 14. The FMA fell far short of the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture and break a filibuster. The vote was 50-48 against invoking cloture, thereby preventing a direct vote on the amendment.

The House, however, approved by a 233-194 vote the Marriage Protection Act July 22. The bill would bar federal courts, even the Supreme Court, from reviewing the Defense of Marriage Act, a 1996 measure that protects the rights of states not to recognize another state’s homosexual “marriages” and prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex “marriage.”

In other news:

  • The third “Battle for Marriage” rally and simulcast will be held Sept. 19. Like the rallies on May 23 and July 11, the event will promote the biblical view of marriage and call for support of a federal amendment to protect the institution. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is one of the sponsors of the event, and ERLC President Richard Land is expected to speak. Churches may find out how to participate in the simulcast by accessing www.wevotevalues.com . The third rally originally was scheduled Aug. 29.
  • Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Carol Ball has upheld a 1913 state law that essentially bars out-of-state, homosexual couples from obtaining marriage licenses, according to Baptist Press. On Aug. 18, Ball refused a request by eight same-sex couples from other states to enjoin the law. Massachusetts is the only state with legalized homosexual “marriage.”

You may express your opinion on H.J. Res. 56 by calling the capitol switchboard, (202) 225-3121, and asking for your representative.

Further Learning

Learn more about: Family, Marriage, Sexual Purity, Homosexuality