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   ISSUES  > Family and Marriage
 
State Senator Information
Pennsylvania 		US Senators by State
US Senators and their Comments on FMA
Senator's Name: Arlen Specter, Republican
Website: http://specter.senate.gov/
Federal DOMA in 1996: This senator voted for the federal DOMA in 1996 and for the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004. The senator voted against the FMA in 2006.
Senator's Comments: ?It is premature to consider a U.S. constitutional amendment,? [Sen. Specter] said, ?because the several states involved are dealing with the issue. Massachusetts is moving on a state Constitutional amendment which would be much quicker than action by Congress and 38 states? California is also acting. If the states cannot preserve the tradition of marriage between a man and a woman, I would be prepared to consider a U.S. Constitutional amendment.? Philadelphia Inquirer, February 26, 2004.

?Sen. Arlen Specter (R. PA.) thinks that it is ?premature? to consider the amendment and prefers to let the states deal with the issue. "If the states cannot preserve the traditions of marriage between a man and a woman,? he said, ?I would be prepared to consider a U.S. constitutional amendment.?? Philadelphia Inquirer, February 25, 2004.

?Senator Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican and senior member of the Judiciary Committee, told reporters Friday he was not ready to endorse the marriage amendment. ?If the states cannot adequately protect the institution of marriage between a man and a woman, I?m prepared to consider a constitutional amendment,? Specter said. ?But if you talk about a US constitutional amendment, you?ve got to get ratification from 38 states. And I think that Massachusetts may well solve the problem reasonably expeditiously.?? ? The Boston Globe, March 29, 2004.
FMA Cloture in July 2004: This senator voted for the cloture concerning the FMA in July 2004.
Senator's Name: Bob Casey, Democrat
Website: http://casey.senate.gov/
Federal DOMA in 1996: This senator was elected in 2006, therefore was not present for the federal DOMA in 1996 and for the Marriage Protection Amendments in 2004 and 2006.
Senator's Comments: "I don't support gay marriage, but I also don't support a constitutional amendment banning it," Casey told The Philadelphia Jewish Voice in October 2005. "However, I do support same sex unions that would give gay couples all the rights, privileges and protections of marriage."
FMA Cloture in July 2004:


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