Wayne Allard: “I thank some 19 cosponsors who are now on this amendment. I thank the majority leader for stepping forward and helping…”

“I thank some 19 cosponsors who are now on this amendment. I thank the majority leader for stepping forward and helping this particular issue. I thank the President of the United States for stepping forward early on and articulating the principles which are embodied in this constitutional amendment. I particularly thank my colleagues, Senators Brownback, Santorum, and Sessions, for joining me in the late-night session last night and for Senators Cornyn and Hatch for helping manage the bill on the floor, as well as Congresswoman Musgrave in the House for her leadership. I didn't come to the decision to introduce this legislation easily. I went through a process of evaluating the issue. I don't think it is unlike what many Members of the Senate are going through right now, or at some point in time went through, because as the initial sponsor of this legislation, I had an opportunity to talk to many Members and I think their response was very much what mine was to start with: Why do we need to amend the Constitution? We all recognize how precious that document is. When anybody comes to you with an issue, to start with, you always wonder why do we need to do that. That is a high standard and we all recognize that. I also remember the debate with the Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, which was carried by Senator Nickles on this side, and how important most Members of the Senate--85 Members--felt in that vote that we define marriage as between a man and a woman.”