Dr. Coburn Votes to Protect Sanctity of Marriage

Dr. Coburn Votes to Protect Sanctity of Marriage

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) released the following statement on his vote to protect the sanctity of marriage.

"The Marriage Protection Amendment is intended to prevent unelected, activist judges from overriding the overwhelming majority of Americans who wish to preserve marriage as the union of one man and one woman. I'm disappointed the Senate chose not to take this additional step to protect the sanctity of marriage," Dr. Coburn said.

"The institution of marriage is the cornerstone of civilization. Sociological studies have confirmed what common sense suggests - the ideal environment for children is to be raised by both a mother and a father. This amendment keeps marriage from evolving into something other than what it was intended to be as the sacred union of one man and one woman. Several states, including Oklahoma, have passed constitutional amendments defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. A few activist judges should not be allowed to undermine our democratic institutions," Dr. Coburn said.

By a 48-to-49 vote, the Senate rejected a motion to invoke cloture, or end debate, on the Marriage Protection Amendment (S.J. Res. 1). The bill, which Dr. Coburn co-sponsored, would amend the Constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

While serving in the House of Representatives, Dr. Coburn co-sponsored the Defense of Marriage Act, which was signed into law in 1996.

http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=LatestNews.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=af661931-802a-23ad-4e5f-65f78539da89&Issue_id=