Bush has little support from Nevada’s delegation

Suzanne Struglinski

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004 | 8:49 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Most of the members of Nevada's congressional delegation oppose gay marriage but do not necessarily support President Bush's call for a constitutional amendment banning it.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said marriage is an institution that has a "very important relationship to the continuation of the human race, to the development of the human person, and to the dignity, stability, peace and prosperity of the family and of society," but since Nevada and federal law define the union, "at this time, I am not sure if an amendment to the U.S. Constitution is necessary."

Nevada has its own constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, approved by voters in 2000 and 2002. The federal Defense of Marriage Act approved by Congress and signed by President Clinton in 1996 not only defined marriage as only between a man and a woman but also said that no other state needs to recognize same-sex unions from other states.

In addition to Nevada, 36 other states have some form of law that prohibits same-sex marriage, according to the Human Rights Campaign, which opposes a constitutional amendment.

Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., said he supports the president, but would have to read the exact wording of a proposed amendment, spokesman Adam Mayberry said.

"He supports the concept," Mayberry said. "But he believes the state legislatures should be free to make choices in defining legal arrangements other than marriage."

Mayberry said Porter voted in favor of Nevada's constitutional amendment.

In remarks at the White House Tuesday, Bush also supported leaving other arrangements beyond marriage for gay couples to the states.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., also opposes gay marriage but is "duly considering" the constitutional proposal. He has said in the past that amending the Constitution is not something to be taken lightly, said spokesman Jack Finn.

"It's clearly reached the point we where have to do something," Finn said.

Ensign believes the argument itself that marriage is a union defined just to be between a man and a woman stands on its face, Finn said.

Ensign did not vote on the Defense of Marriage Act as a member of the House in a September 1996 vote, according to House records.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and former Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. President Clinton signed the law about a week later.

"I believe in the sanctity of marriage, but I also believe in the sanctity of the Constitution," Reid said. "I do not think one must be sacrificed for the other."

Reid opposes same-sex marriages but said a Constitutional amendment "is neither appropriate nor necessary."

"The Constitution was designed to establish and protect inalienable rights and freedoms," Reid said. " I do not believe the founding fathers intended for the Constitution to be used in this manner, especially when the issue is already law."

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said she opposes the possible amendment. She criticized those opposing same-sex marriages as well.

"I do not believe that it is my right to take away another American's rights," Berkley said. "There is a significant number of citizens in this country that are partnered with people of the same sex."

Berkley said that if the word gay was substituted with black, Hispanic or Jewish it would not be tolerated. She said that if this amendment were to go through, she feared what could come next.

"You can call it anything you like, but this is bold discrimination," Berkley said.