Cynical Politics Behind Subcommittee Passage of Discriminatory Marriage Amendment
‘Cynical politics are behind this effort to write discrimination into the Constitution, threatening the security of millions of American families,’ said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.
WASHINGTON — Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese made the following statement after the Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights reported the proposed discriminatory amendment to the U.S Constitution (S.J. Res. 1) to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The so-called Marriage Protection Amendment would deny marriage to same-sex couples and their families and seriously threaten even basic protections offered under civil unions and domestic partnerships.
“Cynical politics have always been behind this effort to write discrimination into the Constitution, and today was no different. If ratified, the amendment would deny critical protections and threaten the security of millions of American families. The American people support fairness and their understanding of marriage equality continues to evolve. Enshrining discrimination into the Constitution would cut short the debate and forever overturn the progress some states are making to protect all families.
“As the attention turns to the Senate Judiciary Committee, it’s important for fair-minded Americans to make it clear that discrimination doesn’t belong in the Constitution. Call your senators, tell them that all Americans deserve the same rights, responsibilities and protections under law.”
HRC praised Sens. Russ Feingold, D-Wisc.; Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.; Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; and Richard Durbin, D-Ill.; for voting against the amendment today, which passed by a 5-4 vote.
In both the House and Senate, the amendment failed last year to garner the two-thirds majority needed to pass — despite intense pressure from the White House and extreme right-wing organizations.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.