Federal Marriage Protection Amendment Q & A

1.  What is the Federal Marriage Protection Amendment, SJR 1?

It is an amendment to the United States Constitution to keep marriage nationwide between only one man and one woman.

It states that, "Marriage in the United States shall consist solely of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman."

2.  Why do we need the Federal Marriage Protection Amendment? Is amending the Constitution really necessary to protect marriage?

Yes, it is extremely important to amend the Constitution to define marriage. Otherwise, activist judges across the nation can overturn any state statutes, called DOMAs (Defense of Marriage Acts). The key to this legislation is that it will provide one definition of marriage nationwide and will allow the question be decided by people, rather than the courts.

3.  What happened in the last attempt to pass this legislation?

A procedural maneuver was used to prevent a vote. It was a 50-50 vote. Since then, a number of those seats have changed, and 14 states have passed marriage amendments sending a loud signal to federal legislators.

4.  If passed, what would happen in states that currently recognize same-sex marriages?

Currently, Massachusetts is the only state that recognizes same-sex marriages. If passed, it would be required to follow the national definition.

5.  Why should the federal government pass this if the states are already doing so on their own?

Unlike state statues or DOMAs, state marriage amendments cannot be stuck down by a state judge. However, they can be struck down by an activist federal judge. For instance, the people of Nebraska passed a marriage amendment 70 percent to 30 percent. One federal judge has now overturned the amendment passed by the people. A federal marriage amendment would prevent federal judges from striking down both state and national amendments.

6.  If passed, how would this affect Texas?

It would provide the final protection needed to assure marriage is between one man and one woman in this state.

7.  What kind of chances does this amendment have of passing?

It is pretty uncertain at the moment. But if it got the 67 votes necessary in the Senate, its chances would be very good.

8.  What are the potential obstacles?

Passing this legislation through the U.S. Senate, by getting 67 out of 100 votes, is going to be most difficult step.

9.  If this passes, could it ever be reversed and same-sex marriages legalized?

No, that is not possible unless another constitutional amendment is passed to reverse it.

10.  Would U.S. voters ever have the chance to vote on it?

Yes, after passing by two-thirds in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, it would have to be ratified by three-fourths of the states.

11.  How will this affect homosexuals who desire to enter into legal contracts or have hospital visitation rights?

It would not.

12.  Isn't limiting marriage to one man and one woman mean and discriminatory?

No, the state encourages marriage more than any other relationship for very selfish reasons. It produces life (future citizens), unites the sexes, and provides every child with a mom and a dad. Same-sex 'marriage' says that either the father or the mother is not needed. That is a lie. No compassionate society would ever intentionally create fatherlessness or motherlessness. Additionally, if marriage is redefined, what is the new definition- love, commitment? Then marriage could be five people in love or polygamy.