Washington DC - National Organization for Marriage

Washington DC

Thank Senators Who Supported DC Marriage Referendum!

[March 25, 2010] In the early hours of March 25th, the Senate voted 59-36 to reject the Bennett Amendment on the DC Marriage Referendum. Democrats voted as a block to oppose the amendment, presented during the health care reconciliation "vote-o-rama." Almost all Republicans voted to protect the right of DC residents to vote on same-sex marriage -- with the exception of Maine Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, whose own state residents used a marriage referendum to reject same-sex marriage just six months ago. Five senators were absent from the late-night Senate session.

We now have 95 senators on record on same-sex marriage. 59 Senators voted to allow same-sex marriage in our nation's capitol, refusing to protect the rights of DC residents guaranteed them by the Home Rule Charter. 36 voted to protect marriage and the rights of DC residents.

Please take a moment to contact your senators, thanking them for their support or urging them to reconsider their position on same-sex marriage.

Please use the form below to send a message to your senators. They will receive the appropriate letter below, based on how they voted. Thank you for making your voice heard today!

Take Action: Send a Letter

Message Recipients

Senators Voting Yes!

Senators Voting No.

Review Letter for Senators Voting Yes!

Subject:*

Dear (recipient name),

Review Letter for Senators Voting No.

Subject:*

Dear (recipient name),

I am writing as your constituent to express my disappointment at your opposition to the Bennett Amendment on DC Marriage Referendum, Amendment #3568 to the Health Care Reconciliation Bill.

The abuse of the DC referendum process by District officials could hardly be clearer -- yet Congress has refused to take action, allowing the violation of the Charter-guaranteed referendum process to continue. Although the Senate refused to act this week, I am optimistic that the courts will still protect the rights of DC voters.

Meanwhile, please know that I will remember your vote to allow same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia -- refusing even to allow DC voters to be heard on the matter.

It's not enough to argue that the amendment was part of the health care reconciliation process. For weeks Senate leadership has blocked the Bennett amendment from even getting a floor vote. And a vote for the amendment was unlikely to have any impact on the outcome of the reconciliation bill.

Regrettably, we now have 59 United States Senators on record allowing same-sex marriage in the nation's capitol and refusing to protect the rights of DC voters. By opposing the Bennett amendment, the Senate voted to treat marriage as a political football, rather than the core social institution that it is, connecting children to their own mothers and fathers across millennia, cultures and religions.

Such blatant disregard for marriage is deeply unpopular across the country. The American people strongly support marriage as the union of a husband and wife -- having voted to protect marriage in 31 out of the 31 states where they've had the chance to be heard.

Please know that your constituents care about marriage, and we will remember your vote on this important issue.

You will receive an email confirming that your message was sent. Check the box if you would also like to receive a copy of this letter.

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