Government Documents

Marriage Protection Act of 2007, H.R. 724, 110th Congress (introduced Jan.30,2007 by Rep. Burton,R. Ind.).

The Marriage Protection Act was proposed last year in order to prohibit federal courts to review the Defense of Marriage Act. The act was filed in response to cases like that of Nancy Wilson, who demanded that her Massachusetts same-sex marriage be recognized in Florida. While the Act passed in the House, it did not pass in the Senate. Even though the act does not technically have validity, it does show how divided Congress is on the topic. While many journalists may choose to concentrate on rapidly changing attitudes in New York and California, much of the country is still opposed to same-sex marriage. The Act has been referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, and rests there. Reporters seeking a story may want to explore why the act has rested for so long and why more progress hasn't been made.