Social Conservatives Think Congress Didn't Do Enough to Block Marriage Equality

The Washington Times is reporting on conservative Republican criticism of the efforts Congress made to block DC Marriage Equality.  Jason Chaffetz who introduced the DC Defense of Marriage Act in May following the enactment of the DC law recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other state says "It's a little disappointing that more wasn't done." He only managed to get 63 co-sponsors of this legislation.  Jason Chaffetz represents a rural district in Utah, the state with lowest support for LGBT rights in the country.

"I'll be straight with you: I think they could have done more, We needed a vote, and we didn't get one."  the Times quotes Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage.  Blocking the implementation of the law would require passage of a measure by both the House and the Senate and the support of President Obama, a seemingly hopeless task.  The 'we' in that statement would be NOM.  The benefit would not have been for the Republicn Party.

The Family Research Council is particularly critical of the actions of the Senate. "I haven't seen any effort by Senator Bennett [who introduced legislation to require a vote on the measure by DC residents] to push the legislation, or by the Senate [Republican] leadership, I think it would have been a natural to allow an up-or-down vote, And yet I didn't see any action." said Tom McClusky, senior vice president of the Family Research Council Action.  While a vote by the Senate would certainly benefit NOM and the FRC it probably would not benefit the Republican Party.  Since the measure stood no chance of being enacted taking a vote would only emphasize how ineffectual the Senate Republicans are.  And while House members are voted on by districts, Senators are elected state-wide.  Opponents of LGBT rights like to emphasize how many votes they have won in state-wide elections, but analyzing the data typically shows voters in urban areas are supportive LGBT rights.  Most Senators  would be aware that in urban areas the gay community is as politically powerful as the NRA is in rural areas.

While the organizations that professionally oppose the rights of LGBT people are very disappointed by marriage equality in DC the interests of the Republican Party do not necessarily coincide with them.  The New York Times reports on the major generational shift on the issue.  The straw poll at the recent CPAC convention showed that only one percent of the attendees considered same-sex marriage as an issue for conservative voters.  The Republican Party must hope to someday return to the majority status.  If that is to become a reality, they must connect with the independent and suburban voters which polls show favor LGBT rights.