Udall Reaction to Senate Federal Marriage Amendment Vote

UDALL REACTION TO SENATE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT VOTE
July 14, 2004

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Mark Udall (D-Eldorado Springs) released the following statement regarding today's Senate vote on the Federal Marriage Amendment:

"Today, supporters of the ill-conceived Allard/Musgrave Federal Marriage Amendment failed to get even a bare majority to proceed with a vote in the U.S. Senate. This was an embarrassing defeat for the Allard/Musgrave amendment and I think it shows the authors of this proposal were more interested in scoring political points than protecting the institution of marriage. Discrimination does not belong in the U.S. Constitution, and I'm pleased that the Senate rejected the amendment.

"Clearly there is not enough support in Congress to pass a constitutional amendment. I hope that the Republican leadership will abandon plans for a vote in the House. It would be a waste of time because the votes aren't there in the House either. If we are truly interested in strengthening marriages and families, we should act on other pressing business, such as fully funding education programs, making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans, and passing measures that would restore millions of jobs lost under the Bush administration's watch."