Political Quotes

“I rise to speak on S.J. Res. 40, the Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution. Let me begin my remarks by plainly stating my position on the issues raised by this amendment. First, it is my strong personal belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Second, principles of federalism dictate that the right and the responsibility to define marriage belong to the States. Third, the proper role of the Federal Government is to ensure that each State can exercise that right and responsibility by preventing, as the Defense of Marriage Act does, one State from imposing its view on others. The amendment under consideration would potentially affect two types of relationships that are fundamental to our society. The first is the union between a man and a woman. The second is the compact between the States and the Federal Government. In our zeal to protect the former, we must not do unnecessary violence to the latter, as it is the bedrock of our country's unique and highly successful Federal system. We also must not overreact to the decision of a single court in a single State by rushing to amend the Constitution and stripping away from our states a power they have exercised, wisely for the most part, for more than 200 years. Let us remember that no State legislature has sanctioned same-sex marriage. Nor has there been a popular referendum to that effect in any State. Indeed, this amendment is a response to a single court decision--and a 4-3 decision at that.”