For Release: Oct. 24, 2006
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: tucker.martin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
Statement of Attorney General Bob McDonnell on Governor’s Marriage Amendment Press Conference
“The people of Virginia have a unique opportunity on November 7th to secure the institution of traditional marriage. The proposed constitutional amendment on marriage twice passed the General Assembly with a strong 3-1 bipartisan majority. The proposed amendment preserves marriage as a union solely between one man and one woman, while not limiting or infringing upon the current legal or civil rights of unmarried Virginians.
“The argument regarding alleged ‘unintended consequences’ is completely wrong and legally unsupportable, as explained in detail in my recent formal opinion. Additionally, the General Assembly, on May 12th, enacted the official amendment explanation stating that ordinary legal rights unrelated to marriage will not be affected. Finally, the 12 states that have passed similarly-worded marriage amendments have not experienced widespread ‘unintended consequences’ as the opponents there predicted. The issue is simply what form should marriage take in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I believe the voters of Virginia will join me in voting ‘yes’ for traditional marriage on November 7th.”
