Henry Waxman: “I staunchly oppose H.R. 3313, the so-called ``Marriage Protection Act.'' This bill is an attack on our Constitution, an…”

“I staunchly oppose H.R. 3313, the so-called ``Marriage Protection Act.'' This bill is an attack on our Constitution, an insult to the fundamental freedoms of our society, and a shameful election year stunt by the Republican party. Sadly, although its hard to imagine, this bill is even worse than the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment. While I also oppose that legislation, and any effort to write discrimination based on sexual orientation into our laws, this measure presents an even deeper constitutional crisis. What this bill attempts to do is strip the federal court system and the Supreme Court of the ability to decide the constitutionality of a law. Regardless of the issue in question, this bill is a flagrant attack on the basic separation of powers enumerated in the constitution and the inherent right of each branch of government to have full power over its sphere of jurisdiction. Equally troubling is the purpose of the bill--to single out one minority group and argue that they do not have the right to be heard in court on an issue important to them. The idea that the gay and lesbian community somehow doesn't deserve equal protection under the law is an affront to the Bill of Rights and its guarantee that all Americans have a right to due process. It is no secret that the Bush Administration will stop at nothing to appeal to its conservative base by discriminating against same-sex couples.”