The Foxx and the Marriage Hounds

They may have bought their way to victory in New York, but homosexual activists have a long way to go in persuading the rest of America to follow. Even with the media in their back pocket, the same-sex lobby can't seem to overcome the mass resistance to homosexual "marriage." With the press doing all it can to make same-sex "marriage" feel inevitable, Congress is still solidly standing with the American people. Yesterday, the House made it clear that the President's favorite constituency won't be flying the rainbow flag over Washington any time soon.

Together, members from both parties lined up to support an amendment from Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) that reaffirmed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in matters of military policy. By a 248-175 vote, the House overwhelmingly agreed that normal marriage should be the only union recognized in federal law.

While the media is sure to ignore the significance of Thursday's vote, it speaks volumes about the real state of marriage in America. In all of the back-room dealing and political arm-twisting, we can lose sight of how mainstream marriage actually is. And if the President won't fight for it, Congress will. That includes Democrats--19 of whom voted in favor of the amendment: Reps. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.), John Barrow (D-Ga.), Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Dan Boren (D-Okla.), Ben Chandler (D-Ky.), Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), Mark Critz (D-Pa.), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Gene Green (D-Texas), Tim Holden (D-Pa.), Larry Kissell (D-N.C.), Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah), Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Nick Rahall (D-W.V.), Mike Ross (D-Ark.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.). If their decision proves anything, it's that the administration's radical position is not representative of the country--or Congress.

This morning, the House announced that it wasn't finished protecting marriage. Members followed up the Foxx amendment with a second measure. Led by Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kans.), 236 representatives put their full backing behind an amendment to stop the Navy from slipping same-sex "marriage" onto military bases. After Congress voted to lift the ban on open homosexuality during the lame-duck session, Admiral Mark Tidd used the repeal as an excuse to order his chaplains to perform same-sex "weddings." This amendment would put the brakes on any policy changes that conflict with DOMA. Obviously, the issue of homosexuals in the military is far from resolved. Hollywood and the liberal elite may drown the voice of Congress out, but the importance of these measures cannot be overstated.

If your members stuck by their principles, take time to thank them. If they didn't (like these six Republicans who voted against marriage: Reps. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.), Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fl.), Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.), Nan Hayworth (R-N.Y.) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), let them know you're paying attention! Too often, I think we underestimate how much our appreciation means to members who have a record of standing up for what's right. With the administration hammering away at our values, let's encourage the leaders who defend them!