Heulskamp introduces his Federal Marriage Amendment

Timothy Kincaid

July 1st, 2013

Tim Huelskamp (R – KS) has, as threatened, introduced his Federal Marriage Amendment:

Marriage in the United States shall consist only 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.

Considering that a number of states have enacted marriage equality either through the legislature or the ballot box, this language seems a bit confusing. But as this amendment has about the same chances as an ice cube on a Vegas sidewalk, I guess language is irrelevant.

And Huelskamp is not alone in his clown car. Squeezing in with him are a collection of nobodies hoping to attain a little attention. No Democrats, of course, but about 12% of the House Republicans were happy to plan for a future of political shame and awkward questions from their grandchildren.

Joe Barton (Texas), Jim Bridenstine (Okla.), Mo Brooks (Ala.), Paul Broun (Ga.), Jeff Duncan (S.C.), John Fleming (La.), Trent Franks (Ariz.), Louie Gohmert (Texas), Ralph Hall (Texas), Andy Harris (Md.), Randy Hultgren (Ill.), Sam Johnson (Texas), Walter Jones (N.C.), Jim Jordan (Ohio), James Lankford (Okla.), Mark Meadows (N.C.), Randy Neugebauer (Texas), Steven Palazzo (Miss.), Stevan Pearce (N.M.), Robert Pittenger (N.C.), Joe Pitts (Pa.), David Schweikert (Ariz.), Bill Shuster (Pa.), Chris Smith (N.J.), Steve Stockman (Texas), Tim Walberg (Mich.), Lynn Westmoreland (Ga.) and Frank Wolf (Va.)

Lindoro Almaviva

July 1st, 2013

Oh, the language is very clear: “I don’t care if 100% of you voted for it. The opinion that counts is mine and therefore all your marriage equality legislation is dead, because that is what gay people deserve.”

I do hope he brings it to the floor, so it has an opportunity to be defeated, just so he can not play the victim anymore.

Mark

July 1st, 2013

The inclusion of Chris Smith (even given his ultra-Catholicism) and Frank Wolf on this list is remarkable, in that both represent quite moderate districts.

gar

July 1st, 2013

Fools that represent moderate districts yet sign on to this foolishness will get a fool’s reward.

Sir Andrew

July 1st, 2013

Well this explains the huge thud we felt even out here in Hawai’i. It was his amendment falling into obscurity. He will likely try to get a vote of some kind so he can “get people’s stands on the record,” a tactic that used to work on this issue, but that works no longer (for the right wing; though it might be informative for the left). Sadly (for him, anyway), this is the 21st Century, even as he’s convinced this is still the 1990s. Except for the laughter, and dozens of mentions on Faux News, I suspect this is the last we will hear of this travesty of legislation. And hopefully the last we will hear of this travesty of a legislator.

Joseph Singer

July 1st, 2013

Just a note Timothy, KA is no state in the USA.

Rob San Diego

July 1st, 2013

WHAT…? Michelle Bachman is not a signer or co-sponsor of this?

TomTallis

July 2nd, 2013

I think his math may be a bit askew. It will take 3/4s of the states to ratify this little bit of evil, that means 37 states (actually 37.5 and I don’t know how it should be rounded, so for the sake of discussion, I’ve made it easier for the Christian hate machine).

There are now 13 states with equal marriage, which means that ALL 37 (and possibly 38) will have to ratify. If one more state joins the equal marriage bandwagon (highly likely), passage will be impossible, not just next-to-impossible as it is now.

Huelskamp is grandstanding for his crazy constituents.

Sir Andrew

July 2nd, 2013

Tom: It takes 38 states.

Charles

July 2nd, 2013

Ain’t gonna happen.

Charles

July 2nd, 2013

Joseph, this year is the 50th anniversary of zip codes. And, Timothy has not got them all straight, yet.

Timothy Kincaid

July 2nd, 2013

Joseph, you are right. Fixed.

Timothy Kincaid

July 2nd, 2013

Charles,

I am no where near getting zip codes correct. I can usually recognize California and New York and that’s about it.

Charles

July 2nd, 2013

Thanks for the fix Timothy. KA is a fraternity founded by ex-Confederate soldiers at Washington College (Now Washington and Lee) when Robert E. Lee was president of the college. One hundred and fifty years ago today Lee was busy fighting a little battle at Gettysburg.

Timothy Kincaid

July 2nd, 2013

Yes Kappa Alpha is one of the oldest US college fraternities.

Kevin

July 3rd, 2013

It shouldn’t even get a vote on the House floor. Remember the Haestert Rule? This isn’t even close to a majority of the Repugs.

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