Kansas Rep to introduce constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage

Representative Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas) has announced that will be introducing the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) later this week. The FMA would define marriage as between one man and one woman but, unlike DOMA which was a federal law, Huelskamp will propose the FMA as an amendment to the Constitution.

As an amendment to the Constitution the act would require support by two-thirds of the House and Senate as well as ratification by 38 (or more) states.

This is not the first time that a marriage amendment has been introduced. In 2006 a similar measure was defeated by a vote of 236 – 187 (290 votes were needed for passage). Judging by the current make up of the House and Senate the new amendment proposal would have little chance of success.

Prior to yesterdays Supreme Court ruling CNN released the results of a poll showing that 55 percent of those asked support marriage equality, up from 53 percent just days earlier.

That did not deter Huelskamp who stated, "Today, 37 states still have traditional marriage amendments and laws. Those are not overruled, which is the good side of this. It's not over."