Providing for Consideration of H.R. Respect for Marriage Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, it is important what we are doing here because our friends, the Democrats, were arguing that there is no additional rights of action, that this isn't going to change anything. In fact, this same discussion that we are having, if that is true, and we are going to say that we take them at their word, that would mean no rights of action would take place as a result of this law.

Any judge would be able to look at the reason why we are passing this and the intent that would be on the floor of the House of Representatives, and that is what is being stated here tonight: No right of action; that is not what this is about.

I would hope that we would understand, just as when I was the chairman of the Rules Committee, that what we did and the way we talked on this floor is what the intent would be for a judge, for a lawsuit. If something were to happen, they would open up the Record, just as we are doing here tonight, Mr. Speaker, and a judge, magistrate, Federal judge, State district judge, anyone ruling on this constitutional right would be able to see that this is not about a right of action.

So, let's be clear. That was stated point blank in this discussion on the floor of the House of Representatives. It was reiterated up at the Rules Committee at the time that the rule came to the floor. That is what is stated. I will accept that as their word.

I thank the gentleman from Lewisville, Texas, for his time and service to the Rules Committee. I spent 20 years on the darn committee, 6 years as chairman, and I understood when we handled matters that we spoke clearly and that we spoke directly about the intent of the law. I have heard enough to understand that, and I appreciate Mr. Burgess for yielding to me.

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