US tackles gay marriage ban
2006-06-05 08:21
Washington - President George W Bush and congressional Republicans are aiming the political spotlight this week on efforts to ban gay marriage, all for a constitutional amendment with scant chance of passage but wide appeal among social conservatives.
"Ages of experience have taught us that the commitment of a husband and wife to love and to serve one another promotes the welfare of children and the stability of society," Bush said in his Saturday radio address.
"Government, by recognising and protecting marriage, serves the interests of all."
The president was to make further remarks in favour of the amendment on Monday as the Senate opened three days of debate on it.
All but one of the Senate Democrats - the exception being Ben Nelson of Nebraska - oppose the measure and, with moderate Republicans, are expected to block an up-or-down vote, killing the measure for the year.
'A vote for bigotry'
Democrats say the amendment is a divisive bow to religious conservatives, and point out that it conflicts with the Republican Party's opposition to big government interference.
"A vote for this amendment is a vote for bigotry pure and simple," said Democratic Senator Edward M Kennedy of Massachusetts, where the state Supreme Court legalised gay marriages in 2003.
The House also is expected to take up the measure this year.
Other legislation
Fuelled by election-year politics, the gay marriage issue is the most volatile Congress will consider as it returns from a week-long Memorial Day recess.
Other legislation has better chances for success, particularly a record-size emergency spending bill to continue US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and provide hurricane relief along the Gulf Coast.
The Pentagon says it needs its money - about $66bn - right away or delays could begin to affect the conduct of the war in Iraq. The Senate added new relief for farmers and other aid to the package, swelling its cost to more than $100bn. Bush is demanding that the price tag stick within his $92.2bn request, plus $2.3bn to combat avian flu.
An agreement could be passed this week.
Dissatisfaction with issue of gay marriage
An election-year debate on the constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman was never in doubt, however doomed the legislation.
As Republicans geared up to defend their majorities in the House and Senate, conservative groups earlier this year let them know that they were dissatisfied with the Republicans' efforts on several social issues, including gay marriage.
Amendment 'unnecessary'
Democratic Senator Joseph Biden said on Sunday the amendment is unnecessary.
"We already have a law, the Defence of Marriage Act. ... Nobody has violated that law. There's been no challenge to that law. Why do we need a constitutional amendment?" Biden said on NBC's Meet the Press.
Parliamentary manoeuvres were likely to sink the amendment for the year. Senate procedure requires two days of debate before the 100-member Senate decides - 60 votes are required - whether to consider the amendment on an up-or-down vote.
- AP