Senate Headcount on gay Amendment so far

[SaveElmer]

I've been trolling Senators websites to see who has made a statement on the Chimp amendment to ban Gay marriage. Combined with statements I have seen in the news here is what I found so far. If anyone has any others please add.

Statements for the Amendment: Allard, Brownback, Domenici, Santorum

Statements opposed: Chaffee, Boxer, Corzine, Daschle, Kerry, Edwards, Kennedy, and McCain

[jono]

1. Patty Murray has a statement opposing it

although it's buried at the bottom of the page under "Recent News."

http://murray.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=218368

[Maine-i-acs]

2. Sen. Snowe - R-ME, also is opposed

while Collins (R) is straddling the fence.

Source: Portland Press Herald, 2/25/04

[GreenPartyVoter]

50. C'mon Susan, get on the right side of this already.

[TomSeaver]

75. No way Collins

Snowe or Chaffee will support this. They're no more conservative than the people on this board.

[GreenPartyVoter]

90. Welcome, Tom

My issues with my Senators, Snowe and Collins tend to be fiscal ones. (Well, I could NOT get them to listen to me about the war.) Do wish we could have voted Collins out and Pingree in, though.

[rhino47]

120. Hi Tom Welcome to DU

:hi: :hi: :hi: :hi::hi::hi::hi::hi::hi::hi::hi::hi:

[ButterflyBlood]

95. Collins said it was "not needed"

http://www.gaycitynews.com/gcn_241/bushjoinsright.html

[yellowcanine]

3. Santorum is no surprise

He gets his jollies by poking around in the bedrooms of other people, particularly if they are gay. I will never shake hands with the man as I can't be sure where his hand has been.

[proud patriot]

4. Time to call Feinstein

n/t

[proud patriot]

6. Add Feinstein To The ( Opposed ) collum .... Woooooo Hooooooo

:D

[SaveElmer]

7. Where'd you see that ? n/t

[Catholic Sensation]

11. he called her

that's my assumption

[proud patriot]

39. Yes I called and asked

:thumbsup: But I'm a she :loveya:

[knight_of_the_star]

109. Cool

I was getting ready to call her until I saw your post.

[SaveElmer]

5. So that's 10 opposed so far...34 will kill it n/t

[Renew Deal]

9. Hillary makes 11

I just called.

[Renew Deal]

12. Schumer makes 12. Nebraska Senators make 14. 20 to go.

[DennisReveni]

136. Sure

"I just called."

I called her office about IWR.
We all know how that went.

[Rainbowreflect]

8. I heard on the radio this morning that both Nebraska senators

came out AGAINST!
No link.
I was shocked, but very glad.

[DeaconBlues]

72. Both Hagel and Nelson against it?

Truly amazing! I thought that since good old Nebraska has recently passed a defense of marriage act, these two would have no problem with institutionalizing discrimination nation-wide. Will wonders never cease?

[ButterflyBlood]

81. Hagel came out a long while ago

he said that he opposes gay marriage but said it should be left up to the states, which is the true conservative position.

[terrya]

10. There WILl be a couple of Dems for it...

Robert Byrd and Zell Miller leap to mind...

Terry

[SaveElmer]

13. Miller for sure...Byrd I doubt !

Byrd has always been against amending the constitution in the past...I doubt he will support this one.

[Hamlette]

14. Byrd will support the amendment?

[SaveElmer]

16. Are you guessing

Or did you hear something ?

[yellowcanine]

20. For Byrd to support this would be totally out of character

Byrd is a conservative when it comes to changing the Constitution, Senate procedure, etc. I would be shocked if he supports this amendment. I would count him as a no until we hear otherwise.

[terrya]

21. He doesn't have a great record, to put it mildly, on gay issues...

Byrd made a very impassioned speech in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996.

Terry

[OneBlueSky]

25. maybe not, but to Sen. Byrd the Constitution is a sacred document . . .

to be messed with at your peril . . . my guess is he'll oppose the amendment . . .

[terrya]

29. I hope you're right.

My thinking was that Byrd isn't in favor of gay marriage. Thus, I thought he'd be for the amendment.

Terry

[Hamlette]

70. I didn't mean to imply Byrd would support

but rather my surprise that he would support the amendment. I sent him an email, will advise if he answers. I will let you know if he responds.

[SaveElmer]

15. New Count 14 against...assuming Nebraska report accurate

[Renew Deal]

19. Now 16. Lautenberg and Lieberman against it.

[Renew Deal]

22. 17 Jeffords against it.

[CO Liberal]

17. I Figured Wayne Dullard Would Be On Borad So Soon

His head is so far up Bush's ass he needs to have a window put in Dubya's gut so he can see where he's going.

[Bertha Venation]

55. Your Esteemed Senator introduced it, Darlin'.

Hate to break it to you. :pals:

[CO Liberal]

124. It Figures

Wayne Dullard was beyond his abilities back when he was giving enemas to goats. It's time for him to get out of politics and go back to his veterenarian practice.

[Bertha Venation]

157. And Musgrave, also from your state

wrote it and introduced it in the House.

What IS it about Colorado?! I know FOTF is there, but jeez, there HAVE to be more liberals than you & Mrs. Lib.

[CO Liberal]

159. A Lot Of Them Followed Dobson Here From California

Colorado Springs is lousy with people who lean so far to the right they almost fall over.

[Bertha Venation]

160. heh heh

I used to work at "Insight for Living," Pastor Chuck Swindoll's radio ministry. We considered ourselves Focus's sister broadcast. Oh, lordy.... I know FOTF well.

I suppose the beauty of the state mitigates the conservative climate somewhat. (?)

[donco6]

169. Insight for Living!

I used to work for a big church in Lincoln, NE that was associated with Swindoll.

My, how times have changed.

[Bertha Venation]

170. Brother!

:toast: Amazing, isn't it?

[donco6]

168. You would have to rub it in, Bertha!

:)

[Bundbuster]

137. Allard is Strom Thurmond's PIMP

My head exploded when Colorado elected that slimebag - a quick review of his voting record would show one virtually identical to Thurmond's, same as the oilslick dick.

[donco6]

167. Is that guy just totally stupid?

He makes even Bush look bright - and that's not easy.

We have to meet with him next week to lobby for more money for child nutrition programs - up for reauthorization this year.

[SaveElmer]

18. Both Kentucky Senators for it

No surprise there...

[SaveElmer]

23. 17 down...17 to go!!!

[Renew Deal]

24. Who is on the list?

[Plaid Adder]

26. Lugar apparently opposes gay marriage AND the constitutional amendment

Just called his office. His staffer said he "supports marriage between one man and one woman." I said, "Does that mean he supports the amendment?" He went to look it up, then said "No."

Make sure they're answering the question you're askin',

The Plaid Adder

[Plaid Adder]

30. Evan "The Weasel" Bayh hasn't taken a position yet.

Or else they won't tell me what it is. Pick up the phones, fair-minded Hoosiers!

:grr:

The Plaid Adder

[salin]

36. think he iscalculating how either stand will impact his sellability as a

veep candidate??

[terrya]

27. Norm Coleman? Elizabeth Dole?

I know John Cornyn is for it...

Terry

[yellowcanine]

38. No doubt Norm has a wet finger in the air as we speak.

The man has no moral backbone whatsoever. Minnosotans need to create some wind so he can see which way it is blowing.

[Love Bug]

43. Oh, please. Norm only responds to his master's bidding

No way is he going to oppose the Shrub on this. Even if he makes some statement opposing the amendment, he'll flip-flop once he gets a call from Card or Cheney.

[northernsoul]

113. 'zactly, LoveBug

he's make some very moderate-sounding statement for the local press and then he'll break out a fresh set of kneepads and do his owner's bidding.

[not systems]

28. Feingold?

He should be against.

[ButterflyBlood]

77. actually I read a statement where he already came out against it

make him up

[lcooksey]

31. 18, Leahy is against it

http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200402/022404a.html
“Our leaders are supposed to appeal to our hopes and aspirations, not to our biases or fears. When compassionate conservatism bumps into the political agenda of President Bush’s right-wing base, compassion loses. This is crass opportunism, designed to score political points in an election year at the expense of millions of Americans, and I will oppose this amendment.”

[Renew Deal]

33. That's 19 with Lugar

[Renew Deal]

32. Senators with no statement yet

Both from Ohio
Jack Reed R-RI
Fiengold
Kohl (WI)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

59. Jack Reed is a Dem from RI, Chaffee is the Republican, though very liberal

[SCDem]

34. Sen Hollings is wishy washy

I just called his office and the guy there said he was against gay marriage but for civil unions.... I said well Please tell me he isnt for meddling in our consitution and the guy said he will hold judgement until the wording of a proposed ammendment comes out.

I don't know why he just can't say no.... It's not like he is running for re-election. Urrrrr!

[Creamed Corn]

35. Specter says "premature"

But would consider supporting an amendment if more states were to get involved.

[yellowcanine]

37. Specter is on the bubble. He doesn't want this fight.

Specter has a conservative pub primary challenge so he is going to talk tough on this until the primary is over. If he wins then we will find out what his true feelings are. I have a feeling he will vote against because he is a legalist type who doesn't like to mess with institutions. Remember he invented the verdict "not proved" so he could vote against impeachment of Bill Clinton.

[SaveElmer]

40. 19 Down...15 to go !!!

Wish I could make some calls...but I am at work and it might not look too good

[lcooksey]

41. Make calls Ohio DUers!

http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0225amendreax.html

U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine's spokeswoman, Amanda Flaig, said the Cedarville Republican believes "marriage is between a man and a woman," but he still is considering whether an amendment is needed.

U.S. Senator George Voinovich, R-Ohio, also is undecided.

[proud patriot]

44. Can we get a Byrd Costituent to call Byrd to see where he stands ?

And Feingold ....

[Renew Deal]

47. I already called.

Both have not made a statement

[SaveElmer]

48. I'm at work...can anyone find out about the Minnesotans

Dayton and Coleman

[Bertha Venation]

56. Just called their offices, here's what their staff said.

Dayton: "hasn't made a statement yet; he's weighing both sides." His staff states "constituent input is very important to him" so -- input. :)

Coleman: "I'm not at liberty to make an official statement but" she directed me to his web site. There's nothing about it there.

[Renew Deal]

57. I got the same thing.

Coleman gave me the run around.

[SaveElmer]

58. Daytons reaction is disheartening

I would have guessed he would oppose it

[NicoleM]

63. Just called 'em both.

I identified myself as a Minnesotan and expressed my opposition to the amendment.

[proud patriot]

83. oh okay thanks

:hi:

[otohara]

42. Nighmare Campbell is Against

which shocked the hell out of me.

[proud patriot]

46. Very cool

Thanks for calling :D

[travisleit01]

173. Really?

Because I just called his office and they said they had not been told by the Sen. how he felt about it. Not to be a pain - but do you have a link/source?

[lcooksey]

45. 21, Carper of Delaware against

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/front/8032575.htm
In opposing the amendment, Sen. Thomas Carper (D., Del.) echoed the view that states should decide for themselves. He also noted that the Constitution had been amended but "never... to deny liberties."

[GreenPartyVoter]

49. Thanks for this count thread

Hope that folks don't change their mind if the GOP kicks this issue into high gear later on this summer.

[trogdor]

52. You know, this could make the news.

"DU scoops media with Senate poll on marriage amendment." film at 11.

[SaveElmer]

53. We can start doing our own whip counts

Instead of waiting for the media to do it ... :-)

[Gildor Inglorion]

51. No Surprises from Mississippi

The "Sun Herald" newspaper has an article quoting both Senators Cochran and Lott as supporting the anti-gay marriage amendment.

[fluffyslayer]

61. Lott supports it?

Shocking! :wow: ;)

[Bertha Venation]

54. anyone posted the co-sponsors yet?

It was introduced by Allard, so he's not an addition to the "yay" side.

Co-sponsored by Brownback and Santorum -- two more non-additions -- and Bunning, Fitzgerald, Inhofe, Miller, Sessions, and Shelby.


This is going to backfire on *.

[Jawja]

104. ZELL MILLER A SPONSOR!!!!

I should have KNOWN. :eyes:



:mad:

[Bertha Venation]

158. Yeah. Tell me about it. eom

[Plaid Adder]

60. A theory I have heard about this amendment flap:

That Bush actually doesn't expect it to pass, and they don't necessarily even want it to pass; they just want to make a big stink about it and be able to say they tried. With that many Senators opposed it does not look as if it will get far.

One might hope,

The Plaid Adder

[SaveElmer]

62. 21 Down - 13 to go !!!

[SaveElmer]

64. I read this morning Allen of VA wasn't too enthused about it

No statement from him yet though

[Kathy in Cambridge]

65. New Hampshire Senators-Nothing Yet

If any New Hampshirites read this, please call!

[skippysmom]

66. Proud to be from Mass!

Go Teddy and John! :bounce:

What about Chris Dodd from CT? Nothing on his website yet.

[nickinSTL]

67. MO Senators

Well, no surprise, Jim Talent of Missouri supports the amendment.

Kit Bond doesn't have any info on his Senate website, and I can't call his office from work. I'm guessing he'll be for it, too.

[greekspeak]

76. Jim Talent is a wishy-washy twerp

A wet-behind the ears freshman. Jean Carnahan was twice the senator he was. STILL WITH MEL!!!

[Mattforclark]

68. Wyden, Inouye, and Akaka *should* be against

based purely on deductive reasoning that if you voted against DOMA you would vote against this.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=104&session=2&vote=00280

[tritsofme]

69. What is the feasibility that a national Constitutional CONvention

could be called?

When this fails in the Senate?

I think it only takes 33 states, and it has never been tryed before.

But I think these cons will stop at nothing.

[Scottie72]

71. This happens...

and I wouldn't doubt that there will be civil war. This opens the entire constitution up to changing.. in affect we will get a brand new government.

[ButterflyBlood]

78. 38 states

n/t

[tritsofme]

97. Nope, 2/3 of the States to convene a Convention. nt

[northofdenali]

73. I guarantee Ted Stevens will be on the side of evil.

Not so sure about Lisa Murkowski. I just called her office in Anchorage, and they have not gotten a formal statement. They are to call Washington and will get back with me. Usually pretty prompt, these folks - small population, and this is a "make or break" issue for a LOT of people here.

SO maybe 1 out of 2 Alaska Repukes will do the right thing. But I ain't holdin' my breath!

[northofdenali]

129. Just heard back from Sen. Murkowski's office!

She's a NO!!!!!!!!! I am now going to lie down because otherwise I'll pass out.

[NewJeffCT]

74. Nothing from CT senators yet

I expect Dodd to be against the amendment - not sure on Orthodox Jew Lieberman, though. I emailed both offices just now, though.

[SaveElmer]

79. Somebody above had said Lieberman came out against n/t

[ButterflyBlood]

80. no word from Dayton yet

although I definately can't see him supporting it. I believe that during his campaign he said that he'd oppose amending the state constitution to ban gay marriage, so he'd almost certainly oppose this one.

Coleman will weasle and waffle on both sides until the vote.

[KansDem]

82. Comment from Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS)

Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, a Republican, is a lead co-sponsor of the legislation that would create the amendment. Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, also a Republican, said he had no problem with the constitutional amendment but said “that's a course of action I'm not too sure is the best course” because of the lengthy nature of the process.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/8004963.htm

Don't know quite how to interpret this.

[OneTwentyoNine]

147. Pat Roberts never says anything...

Doing his BIG investigation into missing WMD,said the other day he's really going to get tough but wouldn't say how. He's a Western Kansas lackey,makes sure farmers get their government checks for not growing anything and gets re-elected over and over.

David

[ButterflyBlood]

84. Feingold is AGAINST

I could've sworn he had a statement opposing it a long time ago, so I did a google, found this from the dark side: http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0029666.cfm

he has said he will LEAD the fight against it. Go Feingold! :bounce:

[proud patriot]

85. Wooooo Hoooooo !

:bounce:

[ButterflyBlood]

86. I decided to see what the side of evil said

well it appears Breaux is against!

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1085360/posts

[proud patriot]

89. Hey thanks

That's an interesting thread

[southpaw]

87. Mojo wire from Alabama

According to his pubescent-sounding phone boy, Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) supports the president's latest assault on Constitutional freedom.

The staff at the foul smelling den of Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) are offering no comment, opting instead to cower like cornered rats in the face of a raving constituent demanding an answer to a simple question:

"Is the pigfucker complicit in this vulgar attempt to piss on the constitution or isn't he?"

More news as it becomes available.

[KansDem]

91. Wow!!! Thanks for that objective report!

Very descriptive. I enjoyed reading it! :hi:

[southpaw]

93. Doing my best HST impersonation

It's been a hell of a day...

[ButterflyBlood]

88. Bob Graham against

http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/news/022504/Local/ST006.shtml

[ButterflyBlood]

92. complete count so far:

against (26):
Chaffee
Boxer
Corzine
Daschle
Kerry
Edwards
Kennedy
McCain
Snowe
Hagel
Ben Nelson
Feinstein
Clinton
Schumer
Murray
Lautenberg
Lieberman
Jeffords
Lugar
Feingold
Leahy
Campbell
Carper
Breaux
Bob Graham
Johnson

for (13):
Allard
Brownback
Domenici
Santorum
Frist
McConnell
Bunning
Traitor Zell
Sessions
Shelby
Inhofe
Talent
Bond

we have them outnumbered 2:1!

[tedoll78]

94. 8 to go!

Wow - look at the Repubs with us on this one!

[ButterflyBlood]

96. Durbin against, Conryn for

http://www.buddybuddy.com/bradk-01.html

Cornyn was the only one of the subcommittee’s five-member Republican contingent to show up for the hearing. Each of the panel’s four Democrats on the committee spoke against the punitively discriminatory FMA. They were: Senators Russell Feingold (D-Wis.), Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).

7 more to go...

Wyden, Akaka and Inyoue should all be opposed as well since they opposed the DOMA, that'd make it 4 more needed.

getting 4 of these should be easy:

Dayton
Levin
Stabenow
Collins
Reed
Cantwell
Bingaman
Kohl
Harkin

[tritsofme]

100. I hope you're right about Durbin, I called his office here and in Wash

and they said no comment.

No comment from Fitzgerald either.

[trogdor]

110. Maybe George already knows he doesn't have the votes.

It hasn't stopped them before. The point isn't passing it, it's about creating and maintaining a wedge issue to DIVIDE the country. Some uniter, huh?

[yellowcanine]

99. I don't see MD Dem Senators Sarbanes & Mikulski there

I think we probably will have 2 more against there. It looks as if there might not even be a majority for the amendment. Wouldn't that be a hoot? WWGD?

[Renew Deal]

101. Call them!

You need a quarter? :)

[knight_of_the_star]

108. This will die a painful death

So proud to be a Californian!

[mot78]

98. McCain and David Dryer are opposed

At least the current RINOs (and McCain) will oppose this.

[mike1963]

102. No point in calling the 2 puke bastard senators here in OK,

they're both card-carrying far-right homophobe bigoted motherfuckers.
But I sent them some very explicit emails.
:grr:

[guitar man]

127. Isn't that the truth

We need to tar and feather those motherfuckers!

<figuratively speaking of course>

[mgarretson]

150. Well I'll start with an email...

I sent an email to Don Nickle's asking him to think about his legacy as he ends his Senatorial career. I strongly urged him to oppose enshrining hate in our Constitution, regardless of his views on gay marriage. Has he made an official statement? I didn't find it on his website.

Inhofe's a different matter... He's just a low class turd. This is the email I sent him in regards to his sponsorship of the amendment. Doesn't mean much, but it makes me feel better.

-Mike

------
Senator Inhofe,
While I often disagree with you on issues, you, sir, have outdone yourself with your latest support for a Constitutional amendment which will enshrine hate in our beloved Constitution. I understand that your faith may lead you to believe that marriage is only for heterosexual couples but I do not believe your religious views should be responsible for denying rights to other American citizens. I certainly do not believe a Constitutional Amendment is in order.

Our Constitution is a sacred document that should not be tampered with, except in extreme situations. By persuing this amendment, you disregard its affirmative spirit. As an enlightened nation, we should concentrate on affirming rights to those who are oppressed rather than enshrining hate in our Constitution.

I, and many across our state and our nation, fundamentally disagree with your actions and expect better of those elected to serve in the United States Senate.

Contemptuously,
Michael G. Garretson
Concerned Citizen, Oklahoma

[mgarretson]

148. Hey there fellow Okie...

Hey Mike,
You gonna work for Carson's campaign? He's a conservative Dem but we might at least have a better shot...

I used to live in OK's 5th CD so I the not-so-perfect trifecta of Nickles and Inhofe as my Senators and Istook as my Rep. Poor CD 5!

Best,
Mike

[KansDem]

103. Good site for information on Senators and homosexual issues.

http://www.actwin.com/eatonohio/gay/impvtsen.htm

And the issue of amending the US Constitution should also play an important role in the Neo-Con's latest escapade by turning some anti-gay/lesbian Senators against this proposal.

on edit: I counted 49-51 Senators with a grade of "C" or better (I counted several times thus the reason for the span. My eyes are very tired now and I've no way to print this).

[Mattforclark]

105. Sarbanes (D, MD) is probably against

But dunno about Mikulski.

So that should be at least one vote from Maryland.

http://www.washblade.com/2003/11-21/news/localnews/mostlymum.cfm

"Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), who has a 100 percent pro-gay record in the 107th session of Congress, has declined to say where she stands. Lawrence Jacobs, board co-chair of Free State Justice, Maryland’s largest gay civil rights organization, said that he isn’t sure Mikulski’s support could be taken for granted since she voted for DOMA in 1996.

Her counterpart, Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (D-Md.), who also scored a 100 percent pro-gay voting record, released a statement to the Blade that he is “opposed to proposed Constitutional smendments when a statutory approach would adequately serve the interests being advanced.”"

[Rockholm]

106. How Many of the Senators FOR Amendment are DIVORCED?

Just curious. Maybe this could be a new thread? I mean, if these men (and women) are going to decide who can and can't be married, let's find out how sacred their marriage vows are (were).

[ButterflyBlood]

107. Collins against according to this

http://www.pressherald.com/news/state/040225bushreax.shtml

[Renew Deal]

111. Current list 7 to go. We need 35 against. Not 34

These are all confirmed

Boxer
Breaux
Carper
Chafee
Clinton
Collins
Corzine
Daschle
Edwards
Feinstein
Fiengold
Graham
Hagel
Jeffords
Kennedy
Kerry
Lautenburg
Leahy
Lieberman
Lugar
McCain
Murray
Nelson
Schumer
Snowe
Campbell
Durbin
Dryer

[tedoll78]

114. Noo..

2/3 of 100 is 66.6. Thus, they need 67 votes to get at least 2/3 of the senate. So, if we get 34, the most they can get is 66, and the measure would die right then and there.

On edit: to add a warning.. if they were to have one person not show-up on purpose for the vote, they'd only need 66 votes, since 2/3 of 99 is 66. And if we have a Kerry-Edwards ticket, they could get dirty and call a vote while they're campaigning on the Left Coast. All they need is a quorum and then 2/3 of all senators present. Scary.

[Renew Deal]

115. Oh, ok good. Then 5 to go. Wyden (D-OR) is against.

[Renew Deal]

119. Cantwell against. 5 to go. Scratched Drier.

Harry Ried has no comment

[ButterflyBlood]

123. Reid against according to a below post

Akaka and Inyoue are almost certainly against voting against the DOMA. 2 more to go.

[ButterflyBlood]

117. we should have enough votes to stop it even in that case

there's plenty of liberal enough Democrats who haven't said anything yet.

[trogdor]

138. Article V of US Constitution

Article V.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of it's equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Nowhere does it say "members present." They need 67 votes.

[tedoll78]

139. SWEET!

Thanks so much! Hell yeah!!!

[ButterflyBlood]

116. no, it's 34, and Drier isn't a senator

scratch him.

[Renew Deal]

112. Someone call the western states.

[tedoll78]

118. Has Mary Landieu made a statement yet?

We may need to contact her:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[ButterflyBlood]

122. no comment

http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/022504/new_lagaymarriage001.shtml

[oldcoot]

121. Reid and Ensign (NV)

According to today's Las Vegas Sun, Senator Harry Reid opposes a constitutional amendment banning gay marriages while Senator John Ensign is "duly considering" the amendment.

[Renew Deal]

125. Hatch is for it. Bennett is no comment. 4 to go with Ried.

[Renew Deal]

128. Allard is for it.

[Lexingtonian]

126. Count in Herb Kohl and Barbara Mikulski

Considering that they are both widely thought to be closeted and have safe seats, nary an icecube's chance in Hell that they're voting for the thing.

Lindsey Graham must be enjoying the moment. There are people in who say they are going to out all gay members of Congress who vote for such an amendment- good news for Mark Foley, David Dreier, Dana Rohrabacher, Jim McCrery, and a couple of others in the making. (McCrery is, coincidentally, talking about retiring.)

On edit: I'd be surprised if Christopher Dodd, Jack Reed, and Pat Leahy aren't safe votes against any amendment of the sort either.

[tedoll78]

130. Another important question:

do we have the votes to stop it from even getting out of committee?

Hmm...?

[fluffyslayer]

131. Rockefeller?

Has Rockefeller made a statement yet?

[Renew Deal]

134. I called. No answer. I don't know.

It's time to hit the research on some of these.

[SaveElmer]

132. So it looks like we have 30 confirmed...is that right ? n/t

[Renew Deal]

133. That's right. Here is a little update.

Both from HI do not have a position. Stevens from Alaska is porbably for it. The other senator is maybe. Both dems from ND and Both senators from IA were not there.

[ButterflyBlood]

135. Both from HI have to be against

they both voted against DOMA.

[SaveElmer]

140. Think they have all gone home for the night

Guess we will have to call again tomorrow

[ButterflyBlood]

141. Lamar Alexander against

http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/national/article/0,1406,KNS_350_2666170,00.html

[ButterflyBlood]

142. Lamar Alexander against

http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/national/article/0,1406,KNS_350_2666170,00.html

[spanone]

143. Bush knows the truth it's just pandering to the Hard Right.

and rubbing it in our faces. Compassionate Conservatism my ass.

[Jawja]

144. McCain said

to Tweety tonight that the House and the Senate do not have the votes. I surely hope that's true.

[Mattforclark]

145. Looks like there will be enough votes

Enough senators apparently have a conscience. Enough don't want their names associated with writing discimination into the constitution.

With Republicans like Campbell and Alaxander coming out against, it might not even get a majority. And that can only be a good thing.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

146. even if there were enough votes it would take at least 7 years before

thew states radified IF the states radify...this is simply a politcsal ploy by rove/bush to distract from the real issues (WMDs deficit, jobs, healthcare) AGAIN! and AGAIN the dumb sheeple have swallowed ......sigh

[NWHarkness]

149. Levin and Stabenow?

Neither has released a statement that I can find, but I doubt that either would ever vote for the amendment.

[truthspeaker]

151. kick!

Almost there...stay on target

[dusty64]

152. Great news!

Anyone have an idea how this looks in the House? My bible thumping POS "rep" has come out for it. I'm particularly galled cause this is not American Taliban territory and he has NO opponent, did I mention I live in Terry McAuliffe's hometown. And still NO opponent. I hope my "rep" and I do not find ourselves in the same room together cause I'm likely to do more than just give him a piece of my mind.

[dusty64]

153. Kick!

:kick:

[RichV]

154. What's the tally so far

Of for, against, and known undecideds/undeclareds?

[RED MEAT DEMOCRAT]

155. Gay Amendment

I think that this whole thing depends on how the pointy heads in the white house see this thing. If they see it as just a political scam for the freepers and the wing nuts, they won't do anything else. If the national disgrace really wants this, the White House congressional liaison office put the bite on those "moderate" elephants and they will fold up like the cheap suits that they are. As long as the Democrats stay mostly intact this is all over, DOA as they say.

[RichV]

156. Welcome to DU, Red Meat!

Glad to have you aboard!

:hi:

[SaveElmer]

161. Looks like 31 against so far

[SaveElmer]

162. So which Democrats haven't we heard from yet ?

[sonias]

163. DU made the Talking Points memo

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2004_02_22.html#002614
This is gratifying.

According to this post on the Democratic Underground website, there are already at least 34 senators on record opposing a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriages.

And if that's true, then it's game, set, match, since the amendment would require supermajorities in both houses of Congress unless the president wants to have the states call for a constitutional convention on banning gay marriage
(/snip)

Great going DU! Both my puke senators Cornyn and Hutchinson (TX) are supporting the hate amendment. Mindless repukes.

Sonia

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

164. Would they be MAD enough?

Pushing for a constitutional convention if this thing dies a quick death in Congress?

[travisleit01]

172. WHO SHOULD WE TARGET???

I'm willing to make some calls. Who should we be targetting. There's an 800 # to the Capitol in my sig. I just got off the phone with Sen. Nighthorse Campbell's office, and they didn't know how he felt on it. I just left my NO vote.

Let us know!

[SaveElmer]

174. Should start with Liberals who haven't committed yet

Dayton, Harkin, Mikulski, and Sarbanes, Inouye, and Akaka

[Dob Bole]

165. Lincoln Chafee (R)--statement:

Chafee States Position on Gay Marriage Amendment: Senator Lincoln Chafee released the following statement in response to President Bush's announced support of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage: "I recognize that many Americans are opposed to same-sex marriage. Nevertheless, I do not believe that amending the Constitution is the appropriate response to decisions by individual states to permit these arrangements. I support civil unions between same-sex couples and believe that each state should be free to make its own decision on this issue."

[Ediacara]

166. BAUCUS D-MT probably AGAINST | BURNS R-MT probably FOR

At least according to this article in the Helena Independant-Record

[SaveElmer]

171. Has anyone tried Harkins office ?

I can't believe he hasn't come out against this yet !!!

[travisleit01]

175. Just called - no position yet.

I got my NO vote in, though.

[SaveElmer]

178. That's discouraging...thanks for calling !!!

[DaveOinSF]

179. Harkin against, Grassley (qualified) in favor

http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c4789004/23639955.html

[travisleit01]

180. Thanks Dave!

And welcome to DU!! :hi:

[travisleit01]

176. Senator Dayton

Took my name and number - someone "should" call me back.

[travisleit01]

177. Sen. Mikulski

Again, took my name/#, someone should be calling me back.

[Rhody Reader]

181. Jack Reed, D-RI AGAINST

I'm new here but have occasionally posted at Bartcop and the long since gone MWO forum. I registered here to let folks know about Reed since I couldn't email about it. I'm active in gay politics in Rhode Island. Senator Jack Reed announced his opposition to the amendment several months ago. Here's a link to the article:

http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20030806_gay6.9596e.html

You have to register to read it on the web, but here's the confirming snippet:

"Likewise, Reed said he would oppose any constitutional amendment to ban these unions, which he believes would preempt states from being able to pass their own laws on the issue."

Chafee also mentioned his opposition in the same article, but we knew about him already. Good work, folks!