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Congressman Cole Votes to Protect the Sanctity of Marriage

September 30, 2004

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole voted today for legislation that will establish a constitutional amendment that declares marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. This legislation did not receive the two-thirds majority that is necessary to amend the Constitution.

"I consider this a vital amendment for the pro-family cause and an important vote in representing the vast majority of Oklahomans. I am disheartened that this legislation did not garner enough support to begin the process of amending the Constitution. I will continue to fight to protect the institution of marriage and support efforts to pass this legislation in the future," Congressman Cole said.

The Marriage Protection Amendment (H.J. Res 106) would bar same-sex marriage while leaving the matter of the creation of civil unions, domestic partnerships and other nonmarital arrangements to the states.

"The Marriage Protection Amendment would explicitly protect the institution of marriage from courts who misinterpret the Constitution and disregard the views of most Americans," Congressman Tom Cole said.

According to the Polling Company, 69% of Americans "strongly agree" that marriage should exist only between one man and one woman. According to a Los Angeles Times poll, 72% of Americans oppose same-sex marriage. And according to a New York Times poll, 59% of Americans favor an amendment to the Constitution that would allow marriage only between a man and a woman. Today, 44 states so far have enacted laws that provide that marriage shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman.

"Traditional marriage is integrally related to the continuation of our society and the stability of the family. By disconnecting marriage from these purposes, radical activists are actively undermining our traditional values and the institution of the family," Congressman Tom Cole said.

In 1996, the Congress overwhelmingly passed, and President Clinton signed into law, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman for purposes of federal law. Yet, activist courts have overturned this law and are redefining how Americans define the institution of marriage. Only a federal constitutional amendment can prevent state and federal judges from redefining marriage.

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