What the Defense of Marriage Act (1996) Does

1. If political figures like the President and Supreme Court Justices have the right to practice their own religion- How are they able to keep their beliefs yet make impartial decisions? Is it possible to make impartial decisions?

2. What the Defense of Marriage Act (1996) Does • According to the Human Rights Campaign: "The so-called Defense of Marriage Act, or Doma purports to give states the "right" to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. A number of number of authorities, including Laurence Tribe, A Harvard University law professor, have challenged the constiutionality of such a move. The full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Consitution requires states to recognize the "acts, records and proceedings" of all other states. For example, marriages performed today in Mississippi are considered valid in Wisconsin, Oregon, Arizona and every other states. Under this law, same sex marriages that are legal in one state may or may not be legal in another state.Domaalso creates a federal definition of "marriage" and "spouse" for the first time in our country's history. This is an unprecedented intrusion by the U.S. Congress into an area traditionally left to the states. Marriage is defined as a "legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife," and spouse is defined as "a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife." Marriages that do not fit this description would not be eligible for any benefits offered by the federal government. Under DOMA, even if a state were to recognize same-sex marriages, the federal government would not. The people involved would be unable to receive benefits, including those related to Social Security, survivorship and inheritance. • Q. How might DOMA change as presidents change?

3. President George W. Bush's thoughts on same-sex marriage: • "President Bush offered a new pledge of support Monday for a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage, a measure expected to fail in the Senate and one critics blasted as an election-year diversion."This national question requires a national solution," Bush said in an event attended by supporters of the amendment. "And on an issue of such profound importance, that solution should come not from the courts but from the people of the United States."The Senate began debate on the Marriage Protection Amendment Monday afternoon. A vote on the amendment is expected Wednesday.Bush first endorsed a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages in 2004, when he was a candidate for re-election.“ • CNN:http://articles.cnn.com/2006-06-06/politics/same.sex.marriage_1_problems-that-american-citizens-amendment-constitutional-ban?_s=PM:POLITICS

4. President Obama's thoughts on same-sex marriage: How do the views on DOMA differ between Bush and Obama? Why might this be? Think about Republican v. Democrat

5. Freedom of Religion? • The First Amendment states that: • "Congress shall make no law respecting an Establishment of Religion or prohibiting the Free Exercise thereof." • By viewing the video and looking at the differing perspectives of DOMA- it is apparent that political officials and leaders have the freedom to practice their religion. They are even able to express their faith and corresponding ideology (ie. Reagan and prayer in schools). • Since these governing bodies are allowed to keep their faith then how are they able to be subjective? • How can Supreme Court Justices rule fairly in cases involving religion? • What do you think?