Some BRUTAL facts about the gay marriage issue.

[Silverhair]

The Republican control ALL the committees in congress. Since W has thrown his weight behind the FMA, then it will sail through the committees.

The federal DOMA passed congress 342 to 67 in the House and 85 to 14 in the Senate. That's a very low rate of missed votes. Those are easily enough votes to kill a filibuster attempt, and well more than the 2/3 needed for passage.

39 states have DOMAs. It is reasonable to expect those states with DOMAs to ratify the amendment. None of those states would have enacted DOMAs unless there was popular support for the DOMAs.

It is great wedge issue politics for the Republicans. It is a safe vote for any Rep, and a dangerous one for most Dems. If a Dem votes against the FMA, then he can be sure it will be used against him in the next election, while a Rep can go home and brag about voting for the FMA.

Once ratified - don't look to the courts for help. It will be part of the constitution - the source of all law in the country. By defination it can't be overturned by any court as it out ranks the courts. You can't declare part of the consitution to be unconstitutional, nor can a court shoot it down while in the ratification process as it is only a proposed change - not a law yet.

Nor is repeal likely. Only a tiny percentage of the population will be demanding the repeal, and the repeal could be blocked by any 13 states.

[Moderator]

1. Locking

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