Cannon Applauds Bush's Support For Federal Marriage Amendment
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Chris Cannon (R-UT) issued the following statement after President Bush announced his support for the Federal Marriage Amendment:
"The President should be applauded for his support of a constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and woman. As the President said, we have seen in recent weeks some local officials and activist courts seemingly determined to redefine marriage through judicial decree, often going against the clear will of the people. This is a serious threat to the foundational ideas of marriage and family upon which our entire American society is based."
"Because of the Constitution's Full Faith and Credit Clause a judicially created right to a non-traditional marriage in one state could be forced upon all other states, including Utah, undermining Utah's family law. The Federal Marriage Amendment, of which I am a cosponsor, defines marriage but leaves the definition of legal benefits to individual states. I have always believed that the Constitutional process is the most appropriate way to address this issue, which is really a matter of state law, and an amendment will allow for that."