Social conservatives were dismayed this week when the Washington Post reported that, "Bush said he will not press senators to pass a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage."
Citing the "values voters" who reelected Bush in a campaign in which he often voiced his support for the marriage amendment, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said: "While Social Security and tort reform are important initiatives, there was far less outcry for reform of these laws from the American public. No doubt there are many in the Senate, even within the President's own party who oppose such policy initiatives; however, there is no evidence such indifference or opposition is deterring the President from including them in his second term agenda." White House spokesman Scott McClellan chalked up Bush's comments to "legislative reality." When the marriage amendment came up last July, only 48 senators voted to cut off debate. Sixty-seven votes are needed for a constitutional amendment.
