Religious Freedom Coalition - Promoting Religious Freedom and Family Based Legislation
RFC Home Give a Gift Online Store Legislation Newsletter Subscribe About RFC Archives Search




Click here or on the image above to learn more about William J. Murray’s most recent book, The Pledge: One Nation Under God

Week Ending October 17, 2003
Religious Freedom Coalition
October 17, 2003 2:31PM EST

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 17, 2003

CONGRESS IN SESSION

MARRIAGE PROTECTION

Social conservative leaders met again this Wednesday on Capitol Hill. The purpose of the meeting, which included many notables in the pro-family movement, was to agree on tough language for the Federal Marriage Amendment. It is my prayer that agreed upon language can be presented to the House Subcommittee on the Constitution chaired by Congressman Chabot (R-OH) before the year is out. Once agreed to during a "mark-up," final language would then be presented to the full House Judiciary Committee chaired by Congressman Sennsenbrenner (R-WI),

It is hoped that a first vote could be held on a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage as being between one man and one woman before the general elections next year. While I am hopeful, I do not believe that any Constitutional Amendment since the Bill of Rights has passed the House on a first vote, or even within the first term it was entered. In fact many of the current Constitutional amendments took as many as seven years to pass and ratify. In the meantime what do we do to defend the institution of marriage?

Congressman Hostettler (R-IN), who is a member of the House Subcommittee on the Constitution, has proposed the Marriage Protection Act of 2003. His bill would strengthen the already existing Defense of Marriage Act passed in 1996 by restricting the jurisdiction of federal courts. In Hill lingo this is referred to as the "super-DOMA" because it uses Article III, Section I & II of the Constitution to restrict the jurisdiction of federal courts, including the Supreme Court. This is not an unusual act and the Congress passes several bills a year with language attached that forbids Federal courts from interfering with congressional acts. Most Americans believe there are three "equal" branches of government. This is false. All power rests with the Congress. The Congress can fire judges, or the President, for that matter. The Congress has the power to shut down any Cabinet office or to restrict the courts in virtually any manner. Because the Congress is often politically divided, the power is rarely used.

I fully support Congressman Hostettler in his efforts to pass the Marriage Protection Act. The Religious Freedom Coalition will work on two tracks to protect marriage. We will support an Amendment to the Constitution and we will support strong legislation such as the Marriage Protection Act. If nothing else, we can have Congressman Hostettler's legislation in place while the lengthy process of a constitutional amendment plays itself out.

REMEMBER: Marriage Protection Week as proclaimed by President George W. Bush continues through Saturday the 18th. There is time for you to take action. Sign the online petition to your congressman and Senators today.

Send your congressman and Senators an actual letter through the mail. This is a powerful way to make your point. We have letters prepared for you to sign. We will send you these letters already addressed to your congressman and your Senators for your signature. Sign them and send them directly to your legislators. Click here for more information.

Learn more about the issues surrounding the attack on marriage. Dr. Bill Bennett has written an excellent book entitled The Broken Hearth which details the attack on the family today. The Religious Freedom Coalition has obtained copies of The Broken Hearth at a special price. For more information click here.

To protect our society and the future of our children, marriage must remain between one man and one woman and not between two men or even a group of polygamists. Next week we will return to our normal format reporting on various issues important to families including the status of "under God" in the Pledge to the Flag.

William J. Murray, Chairman - Religious Freedom Coalition

Check our Internet site at www.rfcnet.org for last minute updates! Please feel free to forward this weekly update to friends. We are now at over 65,000 subscribers .... Get the word out and help us hit the 100,000 mark by the end of the year! See below for subscribe/unsubscribe instructions.

See the new books and tapes at our online store. Christmas theme and patriotic items now available!

Internet donations please click here or mail your gift to Religious Freedom Coalition, PO Box 77511, Washington, DC 20013. Our phone number is (202) 543-0300 Please address all comments and questions to support @rfcnet.org

TO SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSRIBE CLICK HERE

Email this Article Printer Friendly Version

Related Articles
- Week Ending November 1, 2002
- Week Ending October 25, 2002
- Week Ending November 8, 2002
- October 2002 Newsletter
- Week Ending October 18, 2002
- Week Ending November 15, 2002
- Week Ending November 22nd
- Week Ending November 29th
- Week Ending December 6, 2002
- Week Ending December 13, 2002
- Week Ending December 20th, 2002
- Week Ending December 27, 2002
- January 2003 Newsletter
- Week Ending January 17, 2003
- Week Ending January 10, 2003
- Week Ending January 24th
- Week Ending January 31st
- Week Ending February 7, 2003
- Week Ending February 14, 2003
- Week Ending February 21, 2003
- Week Ending February 28, 2003
- March, 2003 Newsletter
- Week Ending March 7th
- Week Ending March 14, 2003
- Week Ending March 21, 2003
- Week Ending March 28, 2003
- Week Ending April 4, 2003
- April, 2003 Newsletter
- Week Ending April 11, 2003
- Week Ending April 18, 2003
- Week Ending April 25, 2003
- Week Ending May 2, 2003
- Week Ending May 9, 2003
- May, 2003 Newsletter
- Week Ending May 16, 2003
- Week Ending May 23, 2003
- Week Ending May 30, 2003 - Washington, D.C.
- Week Ending June 6, 2003 - Washington, D.C.
- Week Ending June 13, 2003
- Week Ending June 20, 2003
- June, 2003 Newsletter
- Week Ending June 27, 2003
- Week Ending July 4, 2003
- Week Ending July 11, 2003
- July, 2003 Newsletter
- Week Ending July 18, 2003
- Week Ending July 25, 2003
- Week Ending August 1, 2003
- August, 2003 Newsletter
- Week Ending August 8, 2003
- Week Ending August 15, 2003
- Week Ending August 22, 2003
- Week Ending August 29, 2003
- Week Ending September 5, 2003
- Week Ending September 12, 2003
- Week Ending September 19, 2003
- Week Ending September 26, 2003
- WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 3, 2003
- October Newsletter
- Week Ending October 10, 2003
- Week Ending October 24, 2003
- Week Ending October 31, 2003
- Week Ending November 7, 2003
- Week Ending November 14, 2003
- Week Ending November 21, 2003
- Week Ending November 28, 2003
- December, 2003 Newsletter
- Week Ending December 5, 2003
- Week Ending December 12, 2003
- Week Ending December 19, 2003
- Week Ending December 26, 2003
- Week Ending January 2, 2004
- Week Ending January 9, 2004
- Week Ending January 16, 2004
- Week Ending January 23, 2004
- Week Ending January 30, 2004
- Weekend Ending February 6, 2004
- Week Ending February 13, 2004
- Week Ending Feburary 20, 2004
- Week Ending February 27, 2004
- Week Ending March 5, 2004
- Week Ending March 12, 2004
- WEEK ENDING MARCH 19, 2004
- Week Ending March 26, 2004
- Week Ending April 2, 2004
- Week Ending April 9, 2004
- Week Ending April 16, 2004
- WEEK ENDING APRIL 23, 2004
- Week Ending April 30, 2004
- Week Ending May 7, 2004
- Week Ending May 14, 2004
- Week Ending May 21, 2004
- Week Ending May 28, 2004
- Week Ending June 4, 2004
- Week Ending June 11, 2004
- Week Ending June 18, 2004
- Week Ending June 25, 2004
- Week Ending July 2, 2004
- Week Ending July 9, 2004
- Week Ending July 16, 2004
- Week Ending July 23, 2004
- Week Ending July 30, 2004
- Week Ending August 6, 2004
- Week Ending August 13, 2004
- Week Ending August 20, 2004
- Week Ending September 3, 2004
- Week Ending September 10, 2004
- Week Ending September 17, 2004
- Week Ending September 24, 2004
- Week Ending October 1, 2004
- Week Ending October 8, 2004
- Week Ending October 15, 2004
- Week Ending October 22, 2004
- Chairman's Report for October 20, 2004
- Week Ending October 29, 2004
- Week Ending November 5, 2004
- Week Ending November 12, 2004
- Week Ending November 19, 2004
- Week Ending November 26, 2004
- Week Ending December 3, 2004
- Week Ending December 10, 2004
- Week Ending December 17, 2004
- Week Ending December 24, 2004
- Week Ending January 7, 2005
- Week Ending January 14, 2005
- Week Ending January 21, 2005
- Week Ending January 26, 2005
- Week Ending February 4, 2005
- Week Ending February 11, 2005
- Week Ending February 18, 2005
- Week Ending February 25, 2005
- Week Ending March 4, 2005
- Week Ending March 11, 2005
- Week Ending March 18, 2005
- Week Ending March 25, 2005
- Week Ending April 1, 2005
- Week Ending April 8, 2005
- Week Ending April 15, 2005
- Week Ending April 22, 2005
- Week Ending April 29, 2005
- Week Ending May 6, 2005
- Week Ending May 13, 2005
- Week Ending May 20, 2005
- SPECIAL MIDWEEK UPDATE
- WEEK ENDING MAY 27, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JUNE 3, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JUNE 10, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JUNE 17, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JUNE 24, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JULY 1, 2005
- Week Ending July 8, 2005
- Week Ending July 15, 2005
- Week Ending July 22, 2005
- Week Ending July 29, 2005
- Week Ending August 5, 2005
- Week Ending August 12, 2005
- Week Ending August 19, 2005
- Week Ending August 26, 2005
- Week Ending September 2, 2005
- Week Ending September 9, 2005
- Week Ending September 16, 2005
- Week Ending September 23, 2005
- Week Ending September 30, 2005
- WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 07, 2005
- Week Ending October 14, 2005
- Week Ending October 21, 2005
- Chairman's Report for October 14, 2005
- Week Ending October 28, 2005
- Week Ending November 4, 2005
- Week Ending November 11, 2005
- Week Ending November 18, 2005
- Week Ending November 25, 2005
- Week Ending December 2, 2005
- Week Ending December 9, 2005
- Week Ending December 16, 2005 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 23, 2005
- Week Ending December 30, 2005
- Week Ending January 6. 2006
- Week Ending January 13, 2006
- Week Ending January 20, 2006
- Week Ending January 27, 2006
- Week Ending February 3, 2006
- Week Ending February 10, 2006
- Week Ending February 17, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 24, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 3, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 10, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 17, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 24, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 31, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 7, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 14, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 21, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 28, 2006
- Week Ending May 5, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 12, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 19, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 26, 2006
- Week Ending June 2, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 9, 2006
- Week Ending June 16, 2006
- Week Ending June 24, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 30, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 7, 2006
- Week Ending July 14, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 21, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 28, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 4, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 11, 2006- From Washington D.C.
- Week Ending August 18, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 25, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 1, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 8, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 15, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 22, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 29, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 6, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Chairman's Report for October 3, 2006
- Weeking Ending October 13, 2006
- Week Ending October 20, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 27, 2006
- Week Ending November 3, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 10, 2006
- Week Ending November 17, 2006
- Week Ending November 24, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 1, 2006
- Week Ending December 15, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 8, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 22, 2006
- Week Ending December 28, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 5, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 12, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 19, 2007
- Week Ending January 26, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 2, 2007
- Week Ending February 9, 2007
- Week Ending February, 16, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 23, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 2, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 9, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 16, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 23, 2007- Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 30, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 6, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 13, 2007
- Week Ending April 20, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 27, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 18, 2007
- Week Ending May 11, 2007
- Week Ending May 4, 2007
- Week Ending May 25, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 1, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 8, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 15, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 22, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 29, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 6, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 13, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 27, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 3, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 10, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 17, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 24, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 31, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 7, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 14, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 21, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 5, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 12, 2007
- Week Ending October 19, 2007 - Amman, Jordan
- Week Ending October 26, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 2, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 9, 2007
- Week Ending November 16, 2007
- Week Ending November 30, 2007
- Week Ending December 7, 2007
- Week Ending December 14, 2007
- Week Ending December 21, 2007
- Christmas Week 2007
- Week Ending January 4, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 11, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 18, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 25, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 1, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 8, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 15, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 22, 2008
- Week Ending February 29, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 7, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 14, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 21, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 28, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 4, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 11, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 18, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 25, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 9, 2008
- Week Ending May 2, 2008
- Week Ending May 16, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 23, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 30, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 6, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 13, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 20, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 27, 2008
- Week Ending July 4, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 11, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 18, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 25, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 1, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 8, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 15, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 22, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 29, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 5, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 12, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 19, 2008
- Week Ending October 3, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 26, 2008
- Week Ending October 10, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 17, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 24, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 31, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 7, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 14, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 21, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 5, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 12, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 19, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Christmas Week, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 3, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 1, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 8, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 15, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 22, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 29, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 5, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 12, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 19, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 26, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 3, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 10, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 17, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 24, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 31, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 8, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 14, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 21, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 28, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 4, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week ending September 11, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week ending September 18, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 25, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 2, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Chairman's Report for October 8, 2009
- Week Ending October 9, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 16, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 23, 2009
- Chairman's Report for October 30, 2009
- Week Ending October 30, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 6, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 13, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week ending November 20, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 5, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 11, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 18, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Christmas Week, 2009 - Washington, DC
- October 1, 2010 - Washington, DC

Home | Make this my Home Page
Give a Gift | Online Store | Legislation | Newsletter | Subscribe | About RFC | Archives | Search


 Religious Freedom Coalition
P.O. Box 77511
Washington, DC 20013


General Correspondence: support@rfcnet.org
Special Events: events@rfcnet.org
 DC Advocacy Office: (202) 543-0300
Administration: (202) 742-8990