News

Log Cabin Praises Resounding Defeat of Anti-Family Constitutional Amendment in U.S. House

27 GOP Members of Congress Vote Against Amendment

July 18, 2006

(Washington, DC) – The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly rejected an anti-family constitutional amendment, joining the U.S. Senate in defeating this proposal for the second time in two years. 27 GOP Members of Congress joined a majority of Democrats to deal a decisive defeat to the voices of intolerance. The amendment fell far short of the two-thirds needed for passage.

"The U.S. House, having failed once again to codify discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans in the Constitution, should get back to work focusing on winning the war on terrorism, controlling federal spending, and providing economic and tax relief for all American families," said Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Guerriero. "The House spoke very clearly and again said that marriage is an issue the states are perfectly capable of handling. Congressman Jim Kolbe articulated from the House Floor precisely why this amendment is losing support."

"This Congress and those after it should be about protecting and expanding freedoms," said Congressman Kolbe (R-AZ). "This proposed amendment to our constitution is about discrimination. It is about fear. It is unnecessary. It is unwarranted and it should be soundly defeated."

Today's victory for the forces of freedom and fairness highlights a growing chorus of Republican and conservative opposition to a constitutional amendment on marriage.

Log Cabin aggressively lobbied House and Senate Republicans against this amendment and mobilized unprecedented grassroots support from across the nation, hand-delivering thousands of postcards to Members of Congress asking them to oppose this anti-gay amendment.