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Washington, DC – Congressman Bill Shuster voted today to protect marriage as the union between a man and woman by establishing a national definition and leaving state-specific laws up to state legislatures. The Marriage Protection Amendment also protects states from being forced to recognize same-sex unions created by other states, which takes aim at activist judges attempting to legislate from the bench.
"Marriage is the cornerstone of society and, despite public sentiment, judges on the Ninth Circuit Court in California continue to pursue their liberal legislative agenda," said Shuster. "To do nothing is to allow these unelected judges to write our laws and redefine the traditional family for the rest of us."
In 1996, President Bill Clinton and Congress enacted the Defense of Marriage Act, which also defined marriage as the union between one man and one woman. Despite these facts, it is becoming increasingly common to see activist judges legislating from the bench. Just a handful of judges are doing the work of a liberal few and forcing Congress to take action.
"This amendment defines marriage between one man and one woman and upholds states’ rights by protecting them from activist courts," added Shuster.
The Marriage Protection Amendment, H.J. Res. 88, received 236 votes in favor and 187 against today. Last year’s vote tally was 227 – 186. The legislation has not passed because two-thirds majority vote, or 290, is required. |
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