Congressman Cole Votes for Marriage Protection Amendment

Congressman Cole Votes for Marriage Protection Amendment

Congressman Tom Cole voted yesterday in favor of the Marriage Protection Amendment (H.J. Res. 88). A majority of the House (236-187) voted for the legislation, but the amendment failed to garner the two-thirds required for a constitutional amendment.

"I believe this legislation is important to protect states rights in the democratic process and ensure a proper exercise of checks and balances. Forty-five states have passed laws or constitutional amendments defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. Polls show that most Americans agree that marriage should be between a man and women, yet some activist judges continue to hijack the process, disregard the views of most Americans and legislate this issue from the bench," Congressman Tom Cole said.

The Marriage Protection Amendment provides a national definition of marriage and leaves marriage laws to the state legislators. This legislation prevents unelected, lifetime-appointed Federal judges from striking down the provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), enacted in 1996, that ensures no state shall be required to accept same-sex marriage licenses granted in other states. The Federal Marriage Amendment also adds a layer of protection against court-imposed arrangements other than marriage.

This legislation is part of the American Values Agenda, a list of freedom-based legislative initiatives expected to move through the House in the coming weeks and months. The Values Agenda includes legislation such as the Pledge Protection Act, The Public Expression of Religion Act and the Human Cloning Prohibition Act.

http://www.house.gov/list/press/ok04_cole/marriage06.html