Nancy Pelosi: “I have been married for over 40 years, and I cannot for the life of me think how this legislation that is on the floor…”

“I have been married for over 40 years, and I cannot for the life of me think how this legislation that is on the floor today, the so-called Marriage Protection Act, is any protection for my marriage. In fact, I think it is not a protection of the rights of Americans. Every Member of this body has taken a solemn oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. That is our oath of office. All Members should consider that this bill has far-reaching consequences for the separation of powers that has been the hallmark of our Constitution, our government, and our rights as American citizens. We must today honor our oath of office and oppose this legislation. This court-stripping bill is not about reaffirming the Defense of Marriage Act or even about gay marriage. The fundamental issue in this bill is whether we want to undermine the Supreme Court and the Federal judiciary and our system of checks and balances. This bill will impact the very foundation of our government. It impedes the uniformity of Federal law. It sets a dangerous precedent, and it does grave damage to the separation of powers. When former Senator Barry Goldwater spoke against a court-stripping bill in 1982, he warned his colleagues in the other body that it was a frontal assault on the independence of the Federal courts and it is a dangerous blow to the foundations of a free society. We must heed that warning today.”