Emanuel Statement

Emanuel Statement
"Today we are not defending marriage,
we are defeating the Constitution"

July 22, 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) released the following statement today in opposition to HR 3313, the "Marriage Protection Act" to be considered in the House later today.

"Mr. Speaker, at every critical juncture in American history, each preceding generation has been asked to pick between equality and inequality - justice and injustice.

In that struggle our predecessors always tipped the scale in favor of equality and justice, always widening the circle of democracy.

And in widening that circle of democracy, America's character and our democratic values were renewed.
Today we are taking a reactionary departure from Constitutional history.

Our Congressional predecessors never successfully attempted such an extreme measure as this because they knew it would violate every principle that defines America.

But this Congress and its majority leaders in its infinite wisdom will take that radical step today.

The Majority Leader asked for a debate known for its tolerance concerning a piece of legislation that is neither tolerant nor respectful of debate.

The proponents of this legislation say: "This is an effort to protect the institution of marriage."

Half of all marriages end in divorce. Divorce threatens marriage. So why don't we deny access to the federal courts to
divorcees? If you are worried about your marriage, read your vows and leave our Constitution alone.

Today we are not defending marriage, we are defeating the Constitution.

Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal."

But maybe George Orwell is more appropriate today: "All…are equal, but some…are more equal than others."