Marilyn Musgrave: “I just want to say to Mr. Nadler, your statements about hospital visits and those things, that was a misstatement. That…”

“I just want to say to Mr. Nadler, your statements about hospital visits and those things, that was a misstatement. That is not what this amendment does. There are State legislatures that have the authority to handle all of the benefits that you have talked about, and that is what the amendment clearly states. I would just like to say, we can look at places like the Netherlands, where since 1997 they have had registered partnership, and gay marriage since 2001. In effect, that is probably the best place to look at what gay marriage has done. The out-of-wedlock births have escalated. The divorce rate is escalating. In fact, many people in Scandinavia don't think that marriage is even relevant today. I would say today if marriage can mean anything, eventually marriage will mean nothing. Within the institution of marriage, society offers special support and encouragement to the men and women who together make children. Because marriage is deeply implicated in the interest of children, it is obviously a matter of public concern. Children depend on society to create institutions to keep them from chaos. That is why we have the obligation to give special support and encouragement to an institution that is necessary to the well-being of children. I urge my colleagues to support public policy that strengthens marriage and vote in favor of this amendment.…”