Dear Catholic Exchange:
As a Nebraska resident, I've followed the voting intentions of our two senators, Chuck Hagel (Republican) and Ben Nelson (Democrat) closely.
I also took the step (as did thousands of other Nebraska residents) of contacting their offices to voice my support of the Federal Marriage Amendment. While your article indicates that both senators “voted for traditional marriage,” their own public statements are clear that this was not their ultimate intent pertaining to the amendment.
The vote yesterday was one to end the debate on the issue and actually put the amendment to a vote. Alas, without the 60 required votes to end the filibuster, no vote on the actual amendment will take place in the Senate.
Both Senators Hagel and Nelson have stated that they would vote “against” the proposed amendment, each indicating that it should be a states' rights issue, not the federal government's. While I'm no fan of the federal government usurping the rights of the states, precedent is being set that activist judges are legislating from the bench.
I need not recap all of the issues at play here. The bottom line that I wanted to impart to you is that yesterday's (Wednesday, 7/14/04) vote was not a vote “for” or “against traditional marriage.” We do not have, as a result of the vote, “the knowledge of each senator's position.” The Nebraska senators' votes would be construed as voting on the “hot” side of marriage, but if the amendment were put to a vote, they would be snowmen.
Please reconsider your article's suggestion that yesterday's vote be a barometer for our votes at the polls. Otherwise, well-intentioned Americans (and citizens of God's heavenly kingdom) may mistakenly find themselves casting votes against the sanctity of marriage. Thanks for all you do at Catholic Exchange!
Please be assured of our continued prayers and financial support.
Name Withheld
Omaha, NE
Dear “Omaha”:
Thank you for your comments. While we agree that many senators may not have the strong family-minded incentive that would be consistent with a pro-family vote, we cannot shake our heads when our senators do the right thing. The best response (and the purpose of our brief appeal) was to encourage our Catholic faithful, such as yourself, to use your voice to activate your faith and let your government representative know your position. By calling their office after the vote, you demonstrate that you are serious about your position and serious about their vote.
With hope, these phone calls may change the minds (and hearts) of even the most dubious representatives of family values.
Here’s what Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, had to say after the Senate vote:
Over and over again we heard even our staunchest allies repeating ad nauseam the mantra, “I believe that marriage is between one man and one woman” or the ever-popular, “While I do not support gay marriage,” not a single senator stood up and said he or she was voting against the amendment because marriage is a fundamental right that same-sex couples should enjoy under the Constitution.
If you as an American and a faithful Catholic continue to deluge your senators and other representatives with your firm position on marriage, it will become clear to these men and women who claim to represent us that we are serious about upholding family values in this country. Senator Brownback told us the other day that his office received over 30,000 phone calls for this vote, as compared to the less than 4000 calls he received for the vote on Medicare last year. Clearly, the American people are speaking.
We appreciate your insight and your suggestion and especially your commitment to helping change the culture of American life. We are supported by your prayers and your good works and please be assured that we remember you constantly in ours.
Be God's,
Luisa Wheeler
Associate Editor
Catholic Exchange
