2016 Democrats on Federal Marriage Amendment

2004: CLINTON OPPOSED THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT BUT SUPPORTED TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE Politifact: In 2004, Then-Senator Clinton Opposed The Federal Marriage Amendment, But Said On The Senate Floor “That She Believed That Marriage Was ‘A Sacred Bond Between A Man And A Woman.’” “Clinton spoke on the Senate floor against a proposed federal amendment to ban same-sex marriage. (The amendment ultimately failed.) Though she opposed it, she said that she believed that marriage was ‘a sacred bond between a man and a woman.’” [Politifact, 6/17/15] 2006: Then-Senator Clinton Voted Against The Federal Marriage Amendment. [S.J. Res. 1, Vote 163, 109th Congress, 6/7/05] O’MALLEY’S STANCE ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY SHIFTED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE EARLY 2000S 2001: O’Malley Would Not Say Whether He Supported Gay Marriage. “At times, testimony pushed the boundaries of civility. ‘Would you support and sanction same-sex marriages statewide?’ Sen. Larry Haines (R-Carroll), who opposes the bill, asked Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D). ‘Am I missing something?’ replied O'Malley, who supports the legislation. The proposal does not recognize same-sex marriages, but Haines said that if the legislation is passed, gay marriages could eventually be legalized. ‘Do you think homosexuality is immoral behavior?’ Haines asked O'Malley. ‘Is this is a theology class?’ O'Malley responded. ‘You don't have to answer the question,’ Haines said. ‘Well then, I won't,’ O'Malley replied.” [Washington Post, 3/15/01] 2001: O’Malley Supported Legislation In Maryland To “Extend Existing Laws Banning Discrimination In Housing, Employment And Public Accommodations To Gay Men And Lesbians.” “At times, testimony pushed the boundaries of civility. ‘Would you support and sanction same-sex marriages statewide?’ Sen. Larry Haines (R-Carroll), who opposes the bill, asked Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D). ‘Am I missing something?’ replied O'Malley, who supports the legislation. The proposal does not recognize same-sex marriages, but Haines said that if the legislation is passed, gay marriages could eventually be legalized. ‘Do you think homosexuality is immoral behavior?’ Haines asked O'Malley. ‘Is this is a theology class?’ O'Malley responded. ‘You don't have to answer the question,’ Haines said. ‘Well then, I won't,’ O'Malley replied. The proposal would extend existing laws banning discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations to gay men and lesbians. The proposal is one of Gov. Parris N. Glendening's main priorities this year. Baltimore and Montgomery, Prince George's and Howard counties have gay rights ordinances, but proponents said that more than half of the state's population is not protected by law.” [Washington Post, 3/15/01] Washington Blade: “In 2004, O’Malley Told A Baltimore TV Station, ‘I’m Not Opposed To Civil Marriages.’ Also That Year, He Emailed A Plaintiff In The State Marriage Lawsuit That Read, ‘I’m Just Supporting Something I Strongly Believe In,’ Referring To Marriage Equality.”[Washington Blade, 4/20/15] O’Malley In 2006: “I Was Raised To Believe That Marriage Is Between A Man And A Woman. This Is A Fundamental Issue Of The State’s Public Policy, And A Decision That Ultimately Should Not Be Made By A Single Trial Court Judge.” “[B]y 2006, O’Malley’s position was shifting and he said, ‘I was raised to believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. This is a fundamental issue of the state’s public policy, and a decision that ultimately should not be made by a single trial court judge.’ When confronted by gay activists after issuing that statement, O’Malley disavowed any previous support of marriage equality.” [Washington Blade, 4/20/15] 2006: WEBB OPPOSED THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT BUT BELIEVED IN TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE Webb Said That If He Were In The Senate, He Would Have Voted Against The Federal Marriage Amendment. “James Webb on Friday accused his opponent in Virginia's Democratic Senate primary of trying to buy his way to the party's nomination by contributing nearly $1 million from his personal

fortune…Both criticized the Bush administration's handling of the war, urged tougher border security and sanctions on employers and said they oppose the proposed state constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage. Both said they would have voted against the federal marriage amendment, which failed in the Senate this week. ‘I was appalled it was even brought up,’ Miller said. ‘Instead of the Senate spending time on the issues that the people of Virginia really care about, they are spending it on issues which divide people.’ Webb agreed. ‘I think this is just another product of what's come to be called the Karl Rove era, where whenever the administration gets in trouble, they pull out another one of these emotional issues that manipulates people, scares them,’ he said.” [Washington Post, 6/10/06] 2006: Webb Opposed Gay Marriage And A State Amendment Defining Marriage As Between A Man And Woman. “Former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., said Sunday that despite his past tough stance on same-sex marriage, he is comfortable with ‘the evolution’ on the issue in public opinion and in the courts. ‘I think this has been a good thing for the country,’ Webb said on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press.’ When he ran for the Senate in 2006, he said he believed marriage was between a man and a woman, but he did not support the state constitutional amendment that defined it as such.” [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 10/5/14] SANDERS VOTED AGAINST THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT AND OPPOSED THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT IN 2006 2004: Then-Rep. Sanders Voted Against The Federal Marriage Amendment. [H.J. Res. 106, Vote 484, 108th Congress, 9/30/04] 1996: Then-Rep. Sanders Voted Against The Defense Of Marriage Act. “Sanders has a long record of support for the right of gays to marry. In the House, he voted in 1996 against the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which barred federal recognition of gay marriages. The Supreme Court in 2013 struck down part of that law as unconstitutional.” [Office of Senator Sanders, 4/28/15] Office Of Senator Sanders: “In Vermont, Sanders Supported The State’s 2000 Civil Unions Law And The 2009 Law Legalizing Gay Marriage.” [Office of Senator Sanders, 4/28/15] CHAFEE VOTED AGAINST THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT AND APPEARED TO SUPPORT GAY MARRIAGE IN 2004 2004: Then-Senator Chafee Appeared To Support Gay Marriage. “Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee said he would consider switching parties if President Bush is re-elected…The Republican senator said it would have been impossible to vote for President Bush given their opposite views on issues such as abortion, gay marriage, the deficit, tax cuts, the environment and the war in Iraq.” [Associated Press, 11/3/04] Bloomberg On Then-Senator Chafee: “In 2003, He Became The Only Republican Senator To Vote Against The Iraq War And Called For Reinstating The Top Federal Tax Rate On High-Income Earners. He Also Voiced Support For Same-Sex Marriage.” [Bloomberg, 6/3/15] 2006: Then-Senator Chafee Voted Against The Federal Marriage Amendment. [S.J. Res. 1, Vote 163, 109th Congress, 6/7/05]