We Need the Marriage Protection Amendment

WE NEED THE MARRIAGE PROTECTION AMENDMENT -- (House of Representatives - May 26, 2005)

(Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, the States should decide. Is that not what we heard in debate on gay marriage?

Well, that is what Nebraska did, with a constitutional amendment passed by their State legislature and approved by over 70 percent of their voters in a referendum. The State decided that the definition of marriage should be limited to one man and one woman, a definition that nearly everyone in this country agrees with.

But recently an activist Federal judge disagreed and the duly enacted law of the State, the decision of the State and its reelected representatives and voters, was overruled by an activist Federal court.

Does not sound like States deciding to me. On the contrary, it is exactly what many of us have said would happen, activist courts would erode the will of the people in States like Nebraska. The other side, the side screaming for States' rights just 10 months ago, has not said a word while Federal courts decide and impose their will of what marriage is on the States.

This is too far. We need to act. The Federal Marriage Protection Amendment will ensure that States decide this issue of critical importance. If the other side really believes their own rhetoric, they will back this amendment and fight for judges who allow the people and their elected representatives to debate and decide cultural issues.

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