Amendments and Same-Sex Marriage

[YNGW]

Amending the U.S. Constitution is a two step process.

First, two-thirds of the House of Representatives (291 members) and U.S. Senate (67 members) must agree to propose the amendment,
OR,
two-thirds of the states must propose the amendment.

Second, the amendment must be ratified by three-fourths (38) of the states.

____________________________________

Thirty-eight states already have laws on same-sex marriages that are similar to the amendment supported by Bush.

The Defense of Marriage Act, passed in 1996, defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, and does not recognize same-sex marriages from other states.

The 27th Amendment -- the Constitution's last, was passed in 1992. It forbids congressmen from giving themselves raises. Raises must take effect following the next election. The amendment was first proposed in 1789.

(I had seen some misinformation on how the Constitution is amended on some threads and wanted to print it out in one place for reference sake. Information printed was copied from my local newspaper, Asheville Citizen-Times, 2/25/04)

[BR_Parkway]

1. Federal DOMA was passed by 342 House & 85 Senate

Now I realize that an amendment would be more difficult as people aren't wanting to tinker with the constitution as easily, but if this gets out of committee, it could pass before the elections. I've seen some very optimistic posts that there is no way, but I don't see it like that at all. I think this has an extremely better than average chance of passing.

Btw, howdy neighbor.

[YNGW]

2. Howdy!

Are you a student at Appy State by chance? How much snow you guys supposed to get? Calling for between 4"-8" in Asheville. :puke:

It took the last Amendment 200 years to pass. I don't think it'll go that quick if it goes at all. It takes longer to organize than one thinks.

I wonder what the quickest Amendment to move from proposal to implementation was?

[YNGW]

3. kick

Make sure you know the process.