John,

The “Respect for Marriage Act” violates core federalism principles and threatens religious liberty for those who hold to the timeless understanding that marriage is an institution consisting of one man and one woman. This bill would:

• Abdicate Congress’ authority to define “marriage” for federal purposes, embracing any state’s declaration that any type of relationship constitutes “marriage.”

• Force every state to embrace any other states’ definition of “marriage,” however strange or novel.

• Allow special interest groups to sue individuals and faith-based organizations that adhere to the view that marriage is defined by God as a union of one man and one woman.

Congress does not have authority to force one state to recognize any relationship as “marriage” just because another state chooses to do so. Let’s take a stand against this latest attempt to treat states as Congress’ underlings and to undermine our most basic civil liberty.

While the bill is dangerously close to passing the Senate, we have a small window of opportunity to amend or defeat it. Please call the list of key Senators and ask them to:

1) vote for the package of amendments by Senators Lee, Lankford, and Rubio, to protect religious liberty, or

2) vote no on the bill if these amendments are not added (especially the Lee amendment).

Here is the list of Senators who are key:

Senator Lisa Murkowski -Alaska (202) 224-6665

Senator Dan Sullivan -Alaska (202) 224-3004

Senator Joni Ernst -Iowa (202) 224-3254

Senator Susan Collins -Maine (202) 224-2523

Senator Thom Tillis -North Carolina (202) 224-6342

Senator Cynthia Lummis -Wyoming (202) 224-3424

Senator Todd Young -Indiana (202) 224-5623

Senator Rob Portman -Ohio (202) 224-3353

Senator Mitt Romney -Utah (202) 224-5251

Senator Shelley Moore Capito -West Virginia (202) 224-6472

Senator Roy Blunt -Missouri (202) 224-5721

Senator Richard Burr -North Carolina (202) 224-3154


With you in the fight, 
Mark Meckler
President, Convention of States Action