News

Senators Frist, Allard and Santorum Should Allow Up or Down Vote on Federal Marriage Amendment

Supporters of Anti-Family Amendment Afraid to Vote

July 13, 2004

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans call on Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO) to allow an up or down vote on the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA). "For months, Senators Frist, Allard, and Santorum have told the country how important it is to vote on this issue. Today, we challenge these Senators to allow for a straight up or down vote on the FMA," said Patrick Guerriero, Executive Director of Log Cabin Republicans.

On Friday, Senators Frist, Santorum and Allard were offered the opportunity to vote on the proposed anti-family amendment. Senator Frist apparently accepted the offer, but then, fearing an embarrassing loss, flip-flopped and rejected the offer. Frist, Santorum, and Allard now want to vote on some unknown amendment proposals in addition to FMA. "It is irresponsible and reckless to demand a vote on a Constitutional amendment that was proposed less than 24 hours ago," said Guerriero. "It is bad enough to play politics with the Constitutional process by pushing for this discriminatory amendment. And it's disgraceful to see the pro-amendment forces abuse the Constitutional process on the floor of the Senate. Let's have the vote on FMA, let's stop playing politics, and then let's move on to do the nation's business."

"The fact is the pro-amendment forces in the Senate don't want an up or down vote on FMA because it is going to lose badly and, more embarrassingly, many Republicans are going to vote against it. Not only could they not muster the 67 votes necessary for passage, they couldn't even find 50 votes. The radical right doesn't want this embarrassment, so they're trying to avoid a vote," said Log Cabin Political Director Chris Barron. "This is politics at its worst."

Log Cabin Republicans have been leading a coordinated effort to defend the Constitution. This campaign includes a television advertisement, prints ads, the most intense lobbying effort in its history, and the grassroots mobilization of Log Cabin members across America.