Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX) and 17 cosponsors have introduced House Resolution 1607 to express disapproval of the recent decision by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, which declared that the voters of California did not have the right to enact a state constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

The last issue of this newsletter reported on the reaction of conservative leaders to Walker’s decision.

If passed, House Resolution 1607 would be a non-binding expression of opinion by the House. The resolution has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee. While it is unlikely to be passed by the Democrats who now control that committee, if Republicans gain a majority in the House in the November elections, Smith will become the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

The resolution states in part that 45 states protect traditional marriage and that every state that has voted on this issue has passed a constitutional amendment similar to California’s Proposition 8.

By contrast, 3 states have redefined traditional marriage only because the redefinition was ordered by a court. If further states that "Walker failed to conduct himself in an impartial manner during the course of the proceedings that resulted in such ruling."

The cosponsors of House Resolution 1607 so far are:

Robert Aderholt (AL)
Todd Akin (MO)
Michele Bachmann (MN)
Spencer Bachus (AL)
Jason Chaffetz (UT)
John Fleming (LA)
Trent Franks (AZ)
Phil Gingrey (GA)
Pete Hoekstra (MI)
Walter Jones (NC)
Jim Jordan (OH)
Steve King (IA)
Doug Lamborn (CO)
Robert Latta (OH)
Kenny Marchant (TX)
Joseph Pitts (PA)
Jim Sensenbrenner (WI)

2. CNSNews.com reports that a nationwide survey found that 65% of Democrats want to repeal the law that prohibits open homosexuals from serving in the armed forces.

59% of Democrats believe the opinions of homosexual advocacy groups are more important than those of military commanders in determining this issue.

Even more startling, half of all Democrats want to impose zero tolerance on active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who are opposed to homosexuality, including those who oppose it for religious reasons.

Legislation to repeal the 1993 law that provides that homosexuality is incompatible with military service has already passed the House and may be considered soon in the Senate.

Frank Gaffney, President of the Center for Security Policy, said this would inflict a "radical agenda" upon the military.

And 1,000 distinguished retired military leaders, including retired General Carl Mundy, former Commandants of the Marine Corps, have written to President Obama to strongly affirm that homosexuality is incompatible with military service.

The letter states in part:

"Our past experience as military leaders leads us to be greatly concerned about the impact of repeal [of the law] on morale, discipline, unit cohesion, and overall military readiness. We believe that imposing this burden on our men and women in uniform would undermine recruiting and retention, impact leadership at all levels, have adverse effects on the willingness of parents who lend their sons and daughters to military service, and eventually break the All-Volunteer Force."