Marriage Protection Act of 2004

MARRIAGE PROTECTION ACT OF 2004 -- (House of Representatives - July 22, 2004)

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 734, I call up the bill (H.R. 3313) to amend title 28, United States Code, to limit Federal court jurisdiction over questions under the Defense of Marriage Act, and ask for its immediate consideration.

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Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I find it so interesting that some of our colleagues today are trying to talk about all sorts of other issues, and some that support same-sex marriage are just saying this is an election year ploy to get votes.

I can tell you that for my constituents in Tennessee, they support what we are doing here today, and they are not concerned about whether or not it is an election year or not. They are concerned about protecting marriage, because they know that marriage is an institution that is at the very core of our existence, and that is why we are here today, to protect marriage.

I think it is very sad, very sad, that some courts and some activist judges have taken it upon themselves to usurp the will of the people. Let me remind my colleagues who oppose this that we are acting in the will of the people today.

Already there is a lawsuit that is being brought by same-sex couples in Massachusetts to force other States, like my State of Tennessee, to accept their Massachusetts marriage license, and it is contrary to the Defense of Marriage Act, and it is contrary to the will of the people.