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   ISSUES  > Family and Marriage
 
State Senator Information
Delaware 		US Senators by State
US Senators and their Comments on FMA
Senator's Name: Joseph Biden, Democrat
Website: http://biden.senate.gov/
Federal DOMA in 1996: This senator voted for the federal DOMA in 1996 but against the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.
Senator's Comments: ?Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. said yesterday that he opposed a constitutional amendment as ?not necessary.? ?As President Bush said on a previous occasion?this issue should be left to the states. I agree.?? ? Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 26, 2004.

??It's going to be something we have to go through as part of the maturation process of the nation,? said Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., Delaware Democrat. Mr. Biden told "Fox News Sunday" that homosexuals are entitled to the same rights as other Americans, but that getting there will ?be an incredibly difficult thing for America to grapple with?We're going to go through a process here that is necessary for this nation in terms of how we deal with the rights and the recognition of gay unions. And I don't think that gets settled by a constitutional amendment. It makes it more divisive,? Mr. Biden said.? ? Washington Times, Nov. 24, 2003.
FMA Cloture in July 2004: This senator voted against the cloture concerning the FMA July 2004.
Senator's Name: Thomas Carper, Democrat
Website: http://carper.senate.gov/
Federal DOMA in 1996: This senator was elected in 2000, therefore he was not present for the federal DOMA in 1996. He voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004 and 2006.
Senator's Comments: ??The Senator has said the states are capable of deciding for themselves whether or not they would allow same-sex marriage within their own borders,?? a spokesman said.? ? Philadelphia Inquirer, February 26, 2004.

?In opposing the amendment, Sen. Thomas Carper (D. Del.) echoed the view that states should decide for themselves. He also noted that the Constitution had been amended but ?never to deny liberties.?? ? Philadelphia Inquirer, February 25, 2004.
FMA Cloture in July 2004: This senator voted against the cloture concerning the FMA July 2004.


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