September 30, 2004
Chicago
For Immediate Release

LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS-CHICAGO APPLAUDS REPRESENTATIVES BIGGERT AND KIRK

The Chicago Chapter of Log Cabin Republicans applauds Representatives Judy Biggert and Mark Kirk for rejecting the Marriage Protection Amendment (previously the "Federal Marriage Amendment") on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Today's vote in the United States House of Representatives rejecting the anti-family Constitutional amendment is an overwhelming defeat for the radical right. The anti-family Constitutional amendment fell far short of garnering the two-thirds support required for its passage. The final vote was 186 against the Amendment and only 227 in favor. 27 inclusive Republicans, including Biggert and Kirk, joined Democrats and one independent in defeating the amendment.

The defeat of the anti-family Constitutional amendment also stands in stark contrast to the last time the House considered an anti-gay bill of this importance. In 1996 only one Republican in the House voted against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), where today we had 27 Republicans take a stand against discrimination. Indeed only 67 members of the House voted to oppose DOMA, and today 186 voted against this measure.

Log Cabin Republicans has been leading a coordinated effort to defend the Constitution. This campaign includes television advertisements and prints ads, which can be viewed at www.logcabin.org, the most intense lobbying effort in its history, and the grassroots mobilization of Log Cabin members across America. Locally, Log Cabin Republicans campaigned hard against this measure including a petition drive and advocacy campaign targeting members of the House of Representatives.

In an election year that has seen everything from divisive legislative activity like the Federal Marriage Amendment and the Marriage Protection Amendment to the pessimistic message of intolerance from leaders like Alan Keyes, the Chicago Chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans is pleased to see inclusive Republicans from the state of Illinois take a stand against intolerance and ignorance.

ILLINOIS REPRESENTATIVE ROLL CALL
HJ 106 Marriage Protection Amendment

Republican
Biggert-Nay
Crane-Yea
Hastert-Yea
Hyde-Yea
Johnson (IL)-Yea
Kirk-Nay
LaHood-Yea
Manzullo-Yea
Shimkus-Yea
Weller-Yea

Democrat
Costello-Yea
Davis (IL)-Not Voting
Emanuel-Nay
ï3/4? Evans-Nay
Gutierrez-Nay
Lipinski-Nay
Jackson (IL)-Nay
Rush-Nay
Schakowsky-Nay