Bush renews call to ban gay marriage
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-05-18 09:58

U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday renewed his call for Congress to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriages.

U.S. President Bush walks past Marine honor guards as he departs the White House, May 17, 2004, for a trip to Topeka, Kan, to attend the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site opening. [AP]

On the same day that Massachusetts began issuing licenses to gay couples, Bush said in a statement, "The sacred institution of marriage should not be redefined by a few activist judges."

In the statement, read aboard Air Force One by White House press secretary Scott McClellan while traveling to Topeka, Kan., Bush said that "all Americans have a right to be heard in this debate."

Noting that he had called on Congress some time ago to pass a constitutional amendment banning such marriages, Bush said "the need for that amendment is still urgent, and I renew that call today."

Although Bush has not actively put pressure on Congress to pass the measure, McClellan said the White House had been "in close contact with members of Congress" in an attempt to get the measure moving.

Close

Today's Top News     Top World News
New pact to pipe Kazakh oil to China         Taiwan's attempt to access WHO fails again         China may raise rates if inflation exceeds 5%         Direct elections move to township level         Concern grows after forced evictions         Small firms have big impact in stock board	Israeli forces raid Gaza refugee camp       US assessing reports of Sarin in Iraq       US confirms S. Korea troop cut       Honduran prison fire kills 103 inmates       Bush renews call to ban gay marriage       Iraq council head killed in car bombing