Federal Marriage Amendment dead? Activists urge Americans to ask Congress to move on bill

WND ^ | 4/20/04 | WND

[pookie18]

Fearing the Federal Marriage Amendment defining the institution as between one man and one woman may die in committee, traditional-values activists are urging their constituents to contract their members of Congress and U.S. senators and urge them to act on the proposal.

"My friends, we are at a crisis moment on Capitol Hill on the marriage issue. Many members of Congress report they are hearing more from the pro-homosexual marriage crowd than they are hearing from those of us who believe marriage should remain between a man and a woman," wrote Gary Bauer of American Values.

After homosexual "marriage" was given legal legitimacy in jurisdictions across the nation this year, President Bush signaled his support for amending the U.S. Constitution.

In a February 24 speech, Bush said, "After more than two centuries of American jurisprudence and millennia of human experience, a few judges and local authorities are presuming to change the most fundamental institution of civilization. Their actions have created confusion on an issue that requires clarity.

"Our nation must enact a constitutional amendment to protect marriage in America."

But members of Congress have been less than enthused about taking action on such a controversial amendment in an election year. Constitutional amendments must be OK'd by two-thirds of the House of Representatives, two-thirds of the Senate and obtain ratification by three-quarters of the states.

"Dying in committee accomplishes exactly what those who support homosexual marriage want," said Don Wildmon, founder and chairman of the American Family Association, in his appeal. "They will leave it to an un-elected judge to declare homosexual marriage legal. That will keep senators and representatives from having to go on record for or against, which is exactly what they want."

AFA claims the supporters of the amendment are "running scared," quoting one lawmaker as saying, "If we talk about same-sex relationships or homosexuality we look mean-spirited. It has been decided that we take the high road and only talk about traditional marriage being the cornerstone of civilization. That is the way we will go."

David Crowe of Restore America appealed to supporters via e-mail:

"[The prospect of the bill dying] is unthinkable! If we fail to respond we are saying this issue is not that important and we will have misapprehended the most important issue in modern history."

Crowe asked his constituents to send "an unmistakable message to our seemingly weak-kneed congressman and senators."

Some conservatives have argued marriage is not an issue the federal government should take up, saying each state should decide what is permissible.