CV NEWS FEED // As Democrats in the Senate prepare to make their final push to pass the so-called “Respect for Marriage Act,” CatholicVote has created a one-stop portal for Catholics to write to GOP senators urging them to reject the bill.
CatholicVote Director of Government Affairs Tom McClusky warns that the legislation is “a deceptively-named bill that would redefine marriage under federal law, opening the door to polygamy and even lowering age restrictions.” Democrats will need Republicans to join them in order to pass the bill, so “Catholics must contact their GOP senators and make clear that we don’t want this.”
In addition to CatholicVote’s Quorum portal for contacting senators, McClusky wanted to provide Catholics with a list of GOP senators and their positions on the “Respect for Marriage Act.”
“The first thing CatholicVote or any other advocacy group does when tackling an issue is create a ‘whip list,’” McClusky explained:
A whip list is a breakdown of elected officials’ positions on a given issue. It helps an organization and its allies decide which officials need to be pressured so that they vote the way you want. It’s a standard practice on both sides of the political aisle, because it’s a necessary part of any legislative victory.
Below, readers can find an insider look at a “whip list” on the “Respect for Marriage Act.”
Sources for the list range from political trade emails (such as Punchbowl) to media outlets and (most importantly) interactions with elected officials and their staff.
“The whip list makes it possible for CV to work with our allies in talking with or publicly pressuring elected officials who have taken the wrong stance, are on the fence, or have only made weak, unclear statements,” McClusky said. “And don’t forget to write to your senator today! We’ve made it easy for you.”
Senate Marriage Vote Whip List
Yea:
(Definitive)
(Wavering)
(Leans)
(CNN: “”What do we feel obligated to do next?” if the Senate does codify same-sex marriage into federal law. He added: “I don’t have any problem with same-sex marriage, but I’m not sure — I want to look at the legislation.”
(PunchBowl: “I mean, it seems unnecessary to me. I mean, the Supreme Court’s been pretty clear about the constitutionality [of same-sex marriage]… I’ve been of the belief that government should never have gotten in the wedding business.” Cramer noted Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., voted yes on the House bill Tuesday evening. Cramer said he would be meeting with Armstrong to hear about his vote. Concerned the bill allows for child marriage and polygamy.
(CNN: Keeping an open mind about the SSM legislation)
(Punchbowl labels a Nay but CNN said Unknown – statement weak and intended to clarify he isn’t a no (per Sen. Lankford staff))
(CNN: “people ought to have the freedom to do what they want, it’s a free country.”**Staff Responded to email by saying he shares our concerns.)
Nay:
Unknown/No Statement: