Amendment Reins In Activist Judges

Washington, DC, Jul 18, 2006 - U.S. Representative John Carter (TX-31) today voted in favor of the Marriage Protection Amendment. Congressman Carter is a co-sponsor of this important bill that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman in the U.S. Constitution. This amendment would allow states to protect the institution of marriage, rather than leaving the power to activist judges.

“Since the beginning of time, marriage has been understood to be a union between a man and a woman. There is not a society or religion throughout the world’s history that has defined marriage in any other way,” Congressman Carter said. “I am proud to support the protection of family values and the fight against liberal, activist judges who want to redefine what constitutes marriage.”

Although 45 of the 50 states have either a state constitutional amendment or statute preserving the current definition of marriage, activist, left wing judges and officials at the local levels have struck down state laws protecting marriage.

Marriage in the United States shall consist solely of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman.

Although the amendment received a vote of 236 – 187, it did not receive the required two-thirds majority vote required for passage.

You can also view Congressman Carter’s Floor Speech from today at the following link: http://carter.house.gov/UploadedFiles/MarriageAmendment_FloorSpeech_07_18_06.wmv