House passes
discriminatory 'Marriage Protection Act'Divisive
legislation threatens independence of courts
Press
release dated 7-22-04, from Equal Partners in Faith
Motivated by the failed Federal Marriage
Amendment and growing discontent over the war in Iraq, House Republicans
passed the Marriage Protection Act. By a vote of 233 to 194, the measure
blocks federal courts -- including the US Supreme Court -- from being
allowed to hear challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act.
"House Republicans, caving in to pressure
from the Religious Right, have relegate lesbians, gays, bisexual and
transgender people to second class status in this country," said Dr. Sylvia
Rhue, director of Equal Partners in Faith.
"Passage of the measure has tipped the
balance of power between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of
government that have served this country for more than 200 years," said Dr.
Rhue. "The implications of this bill are staggering."
This dangerous and misguided bill sets an
extremely dangerous precedent. Anytime a majority of Congress backs a
particular position on a controversial issue -- especially one involving the
legal rights of a minority group -- Congress could strip the federal courts
of their jurisdiction over the issue. Every major poll indicates the
American people want Congress focused on issues like rising health care
costs, the poor growth in jobs and the war in Iraq. Same-sex marriage and
the Federal Marriage Amendment rank last on the list.
"As progressive people of faith we must
continue to speak out against the politics of divisiveness," said Dr. Rhue.
EQUAL PARTNERS in FAITH
"is a multi-racial national network of religious leaders and people of
faith committed to equality and diversity. Our diverse faith traditions
and shared religious values lead us to affirm and defend the equality of
all people, regardless of religion, race, ability, gender, sexual
orientation or gender identity. As people of faith, we actively oppose the
manipulation of religion to promote inequality and exclusion."
Equal Partners in Faith
1040 Harbor Drive
Annapolis, MD 21403
Phone: 877-501-4194
Fax: 1-443-782-0273
Email: EPFinfo@aol.com
Web: www.us.net/epf
The Human Rights Campaign also issued a statement:
House Republicans push divisive bill
to distract from voters' priorities
Click here for the original version.
Marriage Protection Act
Passed by a Vote of 233 to 194
'Congress today was sent a historic
message to focus on terrorism and it focused on discrimination instead,'
said HRC President Cheryl Jacques.
WASHINGTON ---- By a 233 to 194 vote, the
House of Representatives today passed the Marriage Protection Act, a
dangerous and discriminatory measure that would strip the federal courts of
jurisdiction over challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act and block access
for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community to the judicial
system. This vote took place just after the 9/11 Commission issued its final
report sharply criticizing Congress. Also, polling data released this week
affirms that the American public opposes the politics of division.
"Congress today was sent a historic message
to focus on terrorism and it focused on discrimination instead," said Human
Rights Campaign President Cheryl Jacques. "We will work to ensure that this
measure is soundly rejected in the Senate. Like the Federal Marriage
Amendment, this bill attempts to undermine our constitutional system for
political gain."
A memo released this week by pollster Stan
Greenberg warns President Bush and Republicans that politics of division is
hurting them in very tangible ways. Any gains being made for President Bush
among the religious-conservative extremist base are being exceeded by gains
for Sen. Kerry among even larger groups of voters, including Republican
moderates ---- who are 40 percent of the electorate and more than 50 percent
of the persuadables. Behind the shifts of these groups to Sen. Kerry,
Greenberg cites Iraq and "discomfort with the president's cultural
politics."
Every major poll shows the American people
want Congress focused on issues like rising health care costs, the poor
growth in jobs and the war in Iraq. Same-sex marriage and the Federal
Marriage Amendment rank last on the list.
"While some politicians push
discrimination, American voters have no appetite for division," added
Jacques.
