Washington Senate Debate: on Civil Rights


Michael Baumgartner: Opposes gay marriage

In a December news release, Baumgartner pointed out that Cantwell is not married and "has frequently voted to undermine the role of parents in child-rearing." He also opposes gay marriage.
Source: Yakima Herald on 2012 WA Senate debates Apr 12, 2012

Chuck Grassley: Wait for DoD report before considering Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell

Conlin promises she'd vote to repeal two federal policies that she argues infringe upon the rights of gay Americans. "[Grassley] wants members of the LGBT community to be second-class citizens," Conlin said. Conlin vowed: "If you send me to Washington, I will fight to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'; I will fight to repeal DOMA and I will fight to end discrimination in employment." DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act, says no state is required to recognize a same-sex marriage from another state.

As for th military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, Grassley argues Congress should wait for a Defense Department study before voting to end it. "I think that congress ought to have that information before we vote," Grassley said. "And so I'm going to wait until that study comes out at the end of the year because I don't want to do anything with a program that has worked good for 18 years and has allowed the military to carry out its mission to make it more difficult for a combat organization to do its mission."

Source: Radio Iowa coverage of 2010 Iowa Senate Debate Oct 19, 2010

Roxanne Conlin: No 2nd-class citizens: repeal DOMA and Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell

Conlin promises she'd vote to repeal two federal policies that she argues infringe upon the rights of gay Americans. "[Grassley] wants members of the LGBT community to be second-class citizens," Conlin said.

Conlin got sustained applause from the crow at the Iowa Democratic Party's weekend fundraiser when she made these vows: "If you sent me to Washington, I will fight to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'; I will fight to repeal DOMA and I will fight to end discrimination in employment."

As for the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, Grassley argues Congress should wait for a Defense Department study before voting to end it. "I think that congress ought to have that information before we vote," Grassley said. "And so I'm going to wait until that study comes out at the end of the year because I don't want to do anything with a program that has worked good for 18 years and has allowed the military to carry out its mission to make it more difficult for a combat organization to do its mission."

Source: Radio Iowa coverage of 2010 Iowa Senate Debate Oct 19, 2010

Christopher Reed: Define marriage as one man and one woman only

Q: What are your views on gay marriage?

A: Marriage is between one man and one woman only. It is a license by the state to recognize the unity of a family.

Q: And should the Constitution of the state of Iowa say that?

A: Yes.

Q: How would you go about making that happen?

A: In the state of Iowa I wouldn’t because that would be a state issue and I’m a federal campaign candidate.

Source: Dean Borg, Iowa Public TV. on 2008 Iowa Senate debate Jun 6, 2008

Christopher Reed: Don’t-ask-don’t-tell caused disruption in military

Reed criticized Sen. Harkin on the issue of gays in the military, after a hearing in which Harkin defended the rights of gays and lesbians who’re serving in the nation’s armed forces.

Christopher Reed served in the Navy both before and after the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy took effect. “It has caused more disruption by bringing it up than there was beforehand. There are no open homosexuals in the military,” Reed says. “I think it creates a distraction that is unnecessary to the fighting forc

Source: Radio Iowa coverage of 2008 Iowa Senate debate May 23, 2008

  • The above quotations are from Washington Senate Debates: Patty Murray (D) vs. George Nethercutt (R), October 20, 2004.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Patty Murray on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for more quotes by George Nethercutt on Civil Rights.
Candidates and political leaders on Civil Rights:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R)
Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)
Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Feb 26, 2019