To put into perspective how dramatically our politics have
evolved on the issue of gay marriage, take a look at the Senate roll call vote on the 1996 Defense Of Marriage Act.
evolved on the issue of gay marriage, take a look at the Senate roll call vote on the 1996 Defense Of Marriage Act.
The DOMA legislation passed by an overwhelming 85-14
vote. Among those voting in favor of blocking federal benefits to same-sex
couples was Michigan Sen. Carl Levin and fellow liberal Democrats such as
Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, Tom Harkin of Iowa and Chris Dodd of Connecticut.
vote. Among those voting in favor of blocking federal benefits to same-sex
couples was Michigan Sen. Carl Levin and fellow liberal Democrats such as
Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, Tom Harkin of Iowa and Chris Dodd of Connecticut.
Imagine this: the late Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg
of New Jersey voting in concurrence with Republican Sen. Rick Santorum of
Pennsylvania.
of New Jersey voting in concurrence with Republican Sen. Rick Santorum of
Pennsylvania.
Or this: the late Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota
voting side by side with GOP Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina.
voting side by side with GOP Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina.
It’s almost as if a century’s worth of political
evolution occurred in just 17 years.
evolution occurred in just 17 years.
For the entire Sept. 10, 1996, roll call, click here.
