Chuck Schumer: “I rise to speak about the Marriage Protection Amendment. This poorly conceived, divisive proposal does not belong in the…”

“I rise to speak about the Marriage Protection Amendment. This poorly conceived, divisive proposal does not belong in the U.S. Constitution. To me, the Constitution is a sacred document, one that protects rights and preserves liberties, and we should not amend it lightly. Never once has our Constitution been amended to deny rights to a group of Americans. And we should not do it now. This divisive and unnecessary amendment--which failed overwhelmingly when last brought before the Senate--would undermine rights like civil unions now enjoyed by people in many States throughout the Nation. This amendment would override State laws that grant fundamental protections such as hospital visitation rights, inheritance rights, and health care benefits. Unfortunately, the White House and some Members of Congress think it is more important to attempt to divide our Nation over an amendment that they know has no chance of passing than to actually govern. The timing of this marriage debate and vote--just months before a heated midterm election--proves that this amendment is a political ploy to distract the American people from the issues that the President and his party are failing to address, like skyrocketing oil prices, the war in Iraq, and the lack of affordable prescription drugs. Therefore, Mr.…”