Tim Huelskamp: “I know the hour is late; but as I think many of us believe, our Nation is not a Nation of men; it's a Nation of laws.…”

“I know the hour is late; but as I think many of us believe, our Nation is not a Nation of men; it's a Nation of laws. When a Congress passes and a President of any party signs a bill into law, Mr. Chairman, it is the law of the land. And if a new President or a new Attorney General does not like an existing law when they come into office, it's not his or her prerogative to decide whether or not to enforce that particular law. {time} 2230 It is his or her constitutional obligation to defend it. But somehow, Mr. Chairman, I'm sorry to say this fact is lost on the current administration. In a very clear and flagrant violation of its responsibilities, the U.S. Department of Justice, under the direction of Attorney General Eric Holder, and with the blessing of the President, have decided not to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act, which has been the law of the land since Joe Biden voted for it in 1996 and it was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Tonight, I'm offering an amendment to prevent the Department of Justice from spending taxpayer money to undermine the Defense of Marriage Act and stop the Department of Justice from ultimately undermining the rule of law. As many of us know, just last night the 30th State actually passed an amendment to amend its Constitution to protect traditional marriage. That would be the State of North Carolina. In my opinion, it likely becomes an easy target for the administration.…”