Senate Approves Marriage Amendment

Special Report - September 13, 2011
This afternoon, the State Senate gave final approval to a bill that puts to rest a nearly decade-long battle to put a Marriage Protection Amendment before the people of North Carolina. The Senate’s 30-16 vote in favor of SB 514—Defense of Marriage succeeded in securing the three-fifths majority necessary to approve a constitutional amendment. Coupled with the House’s approval on September 12, the Senate’s vote sends the question straight to the people. North Carolina voters will be asked whether they are for or against the following on their May 2012 primary ballots: “Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.”

The bill was amended this week to include an explicit statement recognizing that the amendment, if approved, “does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts.” This is the eighth year that a Marriage Protection Amendment has been filed in the General Assembly, but is the first time the bill has received a floor vote in either chamber.

"We are very glad to see this day!" said Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council. "The Senate leadership is to be commended for moving ahead and passing the Marriage Protection Amendment. The people of North Carolina have waited long enough for this day. We especially thank Sen. Jim Forrester who kept fighting for this measure year-after-year. As an organization, the North Carolina Family Policy Council looks forward to working on the amendment campaign to ensure that marriage remains the union of one man and one woman."

Related resources:
Marriage Amendment Passes House - September 13, 2011

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