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   ISSUES  > Family and Marriage
 
State Senator Information
Virginia 		US Senators by State
US Senators and their Comments on FMA
Senator's Name: George Allen, Republican
Website: http://allen.senate.gov/
Federal DOMA in 1996: This senator was elected in 2000, therefore not present for the federal DOMA in 1996. The senator voted for the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.
Senator's Comments: ?I will support and protect the traditional, common sense definition of marriage in law as only the union between one man and one woman as husband and wife. I hope the existing Defense of Marriage Act, which I support, can accomplish this goal. If indicated because of a court decision, statutory changes may be necessary. I will support statutory protections of marriage. If a constitutional amendment is required, I will support one. Please be aware that laws protecting the historic definition of marriage can be passed and enacted much more promptly than amending the U.S. Constitution?? -constituent letter 5-26-04
Allen said he would support a constitutional amendment "if necessary to protect the important institution of marriage." But he offered no hint on whether he believes it is necessary now. ? Daily Press (Newport News, VA), Feb. 29, 2004.
?Sen. George Allen, R-Va., who opposes gay marriage, said the president has essentially shelved any amendment for now. Allen said congressional conservatives would spring into action to push the amendment if ?unelected judges go off on tangents.? ? ?In the event that judges exceed their authority, then the recourse would be a constitutional amendment,? Allen said. He predicted it would take ?many, many years? to gain passage of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. ? Houston Chronicle, January 25, 2004.
Allen, echoing Bush, said a constitutional amendment should be considered only if efforts to ban gay marriage through the courts fail. ? Daily Press (Newport News, VA) January 21, 2004.
?Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) said that Bush and many other Republicans still believe that the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act is sufficient to protect the institution of marriage.? ? Los Angeles Times, Feb. 6, 2004.
FMA Cloture in July 2004: This senator voted for the cloture concerning the FMA in July 2004.
Senator's Name: John Warner, Republican
Website: http://warner.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: ?Congress must proceed with great caution?any time it considers amending the Constitution.? ? Washington Post, Feb. 27, 2004.

"The institution of marriage should remain between a man and a woman," Warner said. "Congress must proceed with great caution, however, anytime it considers amending the Constitution." Daily Press, (Newport News, VA) Feb. 29, 2004.
FMA Cloture in July 2004: This senator voted for the cloture concerning the FMA in July 2004.


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