James M. Jeffords: “I find it sad and unfortunate that the Senate is spending crucial time on this divisive issue, driven so obviously by…”

“I find it sad and unfortunate that the Senate is spending crucial time on this divisive issue, driven so obviously by partisan politics rather than sound public policy. We know this amendment has no chance of passage, so why are we here? Just a week after Secretary Ridge detailed the real threats that the Nation faces right here at home, why are we instead debating the vague and questionable dangers to the institution of marriage. We should be working to fund homeland security, but that bill languishes while we launch into a cultural war. As of today, the Senate has passed only 1 of the necessary 13 appropriations bills for fiscal year 2005. We need to fund veterans health care, educational programs, worker protection, job training, Head Start, environmental preservation, crop insurance, and food safety. We need to reauthorize our Nation's welfare programs. Our highways crumble while the Transportation bill is stalled and we take no action. These are the priorities of the American people. But instead of facing these most basic responsibilities, we are here today to make judgment calls about people's personal lifestyles. I must ask, where are the priorities of the majority leadership? How is it that we have to come to use the Senate floor as a warmup for political conventions, bowing to extreme religious agendas rather than the agenda of the American people? How did this happen? I am afraid the answer can be summed up very easily.…”