What We Need is a Fair and Open and Full Debate!

The Indiana General Assembly needs to engage in a fair and full and open debate of the Marriage Protection Amendment in the 2008 General Assembly. Twice before, Speaker of the House Pat Bauer has orchestrated the defeat of the Marriage Protection Amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 7, by preventing the measure from coming before the full House of Representatives. Speaker Bauer knows that if the House of Representatives has the opportunity to vote to protect marriage between one man and one woman and has the opportunity to vote to prohibit courts form granting same sex civil unions that it will do so overwhelmingly. This happened in 2005 when Representative Brian Bosma rather than Representative Pat Bauer was Speaker of the House.

Since this issue affects all of the citizens of the State of Indiana, all 100 Representatives and all 50 Senators should have the opportunity to debate and vote on Senate Joint Resolution 7. If the House and Senate both debate this in 2008, they will pass it. This means that the citizens of the State of Indiana will have the opportunity in November of 2008 to protect marriage. Advance America will continue to help lead the effort to protect marriage in Indiana by supporting the Marriage Protection Amendment. Let’s hope that Speaker of the House Pat Bauer will at least permit a full and open debate on the floor of the House of Representatives.