David Skaggs: “first, let me say that this has been one of the toughest votes I've had to cast in Congress. I fully embrace the idea…”

“first, let me say that this has been one of the toughest votes I've had to cast in Congress. I fully embrace the idea that marriage is an institution that historically, culturally, and morally is set aside to recognize and respect the union of a man and a woman. If this bill were a resolution affirming that proposition, I'd gladly have voted for it. Unfortunately, this bill went far beyond that simple affirmation, entering uncharted and very troubling constitutional territory, as well as being motivated on the part of some of its advocates by a gratuitous hostility toward gays and lesbians. At best, it is unnecessary--for reasons I'll explain; at worst, it is dangerous--for reasons I'll explain. Much has been made of the argument that Hawaii is about to legalize same-sex marriage. The truth is, nobody knows what decision the courts in Hawaii may make or when they will make it. The Hawaii Supreme Court has remanded to a trial court, for a trial on the merits, a case brought asserting the claim that the Hawaii State Constitution requires recognition of same-sex marriage because that Constitution prohibits gender discrimination. That trial is scheduled for later this year; with inevitable appeals, no final, appellate decision is likely before late 1997 or early 1998. In other words, there's no crisis; no imminent threat of same-sex couples from Hawaii presenting themselves as married in other States.”