The Senate Judiciary Committee, after heated debate, approved the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
The vote came down to a 10-8 majority, which means it was split directly along party lines. Even though they have no chance of garnering the 2/3 vote needed for ratification, the Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist, wants to take up the motion once again after the Memorial Day recess.
Even the JudComm chairman, Arlen Specter, approved sending the amendment to the Senate Floor. Even though Specter opposes the amendment, he's keeping along party lines to keep his promise not to inhibit or bottle up any Republican initiative.
The Democrats object to this amendment based not on a moral code, but because they feel that the amendment is unnecessary. While some have no objection to gay marriage, even supporting it, many are also objecting because they call this amendment a strike against state's rights.
Republicans want to define marriage by "the people, not the courts," and use this justification to define the "traditional" concept of marriage.
My opinions on gay marriage aside, I think marriage is a state issue. Just like it has always been. It'd be nice if the federal government would leave it alone.
