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   ISSUES  > Family and Marriage
 
State Senator Information
Utah 		US Senators by State
US Senators and their Comments on FMA
Senator's Name: Orrin Hatch, Republican
Website: http://hatch.senate.gov/
Federal DOMA in 1996: This senator voted for the federal DOMA in 1996 and for the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.
Senator's Comments: Co-Sponsor of Allard Amendment. ?Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch said he is open to several proposals but is especially interested in language that would leave the issue to elected representatives of the states. ?I?ve got an open mind on all of them, including Bush?s approach,? he said.? The Washington Post, February 25, 2004.)
?Utah?s senior senator is not convinced altering the Constitution is necessary because the federal 1996 Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage as a union of man and woman, and gives states the right to reject another states? same-sex unions. "He strongly believes in the principles behind the Defense of Marriage Act and he would support embracing that principle within the U.S. Constitution if it?s necessary to preserve the rights of individual states to protect traditional marriage," said Hatch?s spokeswoman, Margarita Tapia.? Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 28, 2004.
FMA Cloture in July 2004: This senator voted for the cloture concerning the FMA in July 2004.
Senator's Name: Robert Bennett, Republican
Website: http://bennett.senate.gov/
Federal DOMA in 1996: This senator voted for the federal DOMA in 1996 and for the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.
Senator's Comments: ?Supportive of a constitutional amendment. Obviously it needs to be the right one and be written in the right way.? -Mary Jane (press sec.) 6-16-04
?Bennett said in a statement that he would support a Constitutional amendment if that were the only way to protect traditional marriage. ?However, because amending the Constitution is a very serious matter, I want to investigate all available avenues to determine the most appropriate and prudent course,? the statement read.? ? Associated Press, Feb. 28, 2004.
FMA Cloture in July 2004: This senator voted for the cloture concerning the FMA in July 2004.


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