Jim Kolbe: “Unfortunately, the misguided effort to enshrine family law into the Constitution of the United States comes from this…”

“Unfortunately, the misguided effort to enshrine family law into the Constitution of the United States comes from this side of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, the very process by which this bill is brought before us today is an affront to this institution. It was not considered by any committee of the House. It is not brought to the floor by the chairman of that committee. Rather, it is brought by the Republican leadership, who decided to take upon themselves to do the work of the committees and their chairmen. Moreover, this very same legislation was considered in the Senate and did not even achieve a majority vote, much less the required two-thirds for a constitutional amendment. Why then are we rushing to judgment here today? What is the compelling reason to consider this now? Eleven States have proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot this November which would define marriage in their own States as being between a man and a woman. While I might disagree with the actions of the voters in my State or any State considering such an amendment to their constitution, that is their prerogative. For better than 200 years, family law has exclusively been the domain of the States.”