Mark Pryor on Gay Marriage

Summary

Constitutional Amendment

In 2004 and 2006 Senator Pryor voted against a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman. However, both times he stated that he opposed gay marriage and that marriage was defined as one man and one woman. He also stated that he supported the Defense of Marriage Act and Arkansas's ban on gay marriage. He added that these laws made a constitutional amendment unncessary. In 2004 he noted that if this was no longer the case, he would be willing to revisit a constitutional amendment.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Senator Pryor supported the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell provision. He stated that he had previously opposed repealing the measure until reading the recommendations from the military. He stated that after reviewing the military backing of repealing the law, he supported it.

 

Constitutional Amendment 2004

In July of 2004, Senator Pryor issued a press statement noting his view that marriage was between one man and one woman, that the Defense of Marriage Act was right and was the law of the land, and that an amendment was not necessary as states are dealing with the issue. He states that if the federal government threatens the state's domain in this area, he would be willing to revisit the issue.

 

Constitutional Amendment 2006

In June of 2006, Senator Pryor issued a press statement noting his support for the Defense of Marriage Act and his view that marriage was between one man and one woman. However, he stated that he opposed an amendment to the constitution as there was no need for it.

Jun 02 2006
Statement by Senator Mark Pryor On A Constitutional Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage

I oppose gay marriage. In 2004, I supported the amendment to the Arkansas constitution to ensure the status of marriage in our state remains only between a man and woman. I support the federal law we already have on the books, the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between only a man and a woman and further declares that no state is required to honor a same-sex relationship sanctioned by another state. At this point, I do not think there is a need for a constitutional amendment given Arkansas’s amendment, federal law, and a judicial process that prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

 

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

In December of 2010, Senator Pryor released a press statement noting his recent review of military recommendations to end the Don't Ask, Don't Tell provision and his support for ending it. He also states that he had previously opposed the repeal.

 

Voting Record

2006 Constitutional Amendment

In 2006 the Senate voted on adding a constitutional amendment which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and ensured to no state would be capable of conferring marital status on a union other than a man or a woman. Mark Pryor voted against the 2006 amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman.

2004 Constitutional Amendment

In 2004 the Senate voted on adding a constitutional amendment which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and ensured to no state would be capable of conferring marital status on a union other than a man or a woman. Mark Pryor voted against the 2004 amendment to define marriage as one man and one woman.

 

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

This representative has not been identified as sponsoring or cosponsoring significant legislation related to this title.

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