Constitutional Amendment on Banning Gay Marriages

Desperation or Protection?

Will the President's backing of a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage protect American society or is it just a political act of desperation? Many see the call as an attempt by President Bush to draw attention away from his administration's record and not focusing on education, health care, lost jobs, and the war in Iraq.

President Bush has stated that he believes states should be allowed to legalize civil unions if they so choose. However many gay rights supporters say such unions aren't enough.

Many citizens and politicians believe that the Defense of Marriage Act is strong enough to defend and protect marriage and that a constitutional amendment is not needed.

For an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to pass, it needs a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and in the Senate along with being ratified by 38 of the 50 states.