David Weldon: “I am offering my amendment because the bill before us is such a stark departure from 9 years of previous law. My…”

“I am offering my amendment because the bill before us is such a stark departure from 9 years of previous law. My amendment simply continues current law. Ever since the District of Columbia passed its domestic partnership act in 1992, the Congress has included a provision to prevent its implementation. Congress and the President have chosen to uphold the institution of marriage, and I am disappointed that others would choose this time to try to reverse it. Please do not believe for a moment that this is about home rule. If you want to believe that, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn I would like to sell. How you vote on this today will have an impact on the institution of marriage in the United States and on how corporations and State and municipal governments treat this issue throughout our Nation for the years to come. Furthermore, under article I of the Constitution and the D.C. home rule law, the Congress maintains full authority to do this. Today, marriage is under assault from culture, the media, and many other entities. Do we want to add the Federal Government to that list? It is critical that we do not go down this path and that we take steps to encourage strong marriages. Study after study have demonstrated that strong marriages between a man and a woman have a stabilizing influence on our community and our societies.”