Federal Marriage Amendment Re-introduced in Senate

After the California Supreme Court's infamous ruling that approved gay "marriage" two months ago, pro-family advocates talked endlessly for the need to strengthen the institution of marriage at the national level with a federal amendment.

Last week, pro-family groups finally saw their prayers answered when Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi re-introduced the Federal Marriage Act in the Senate for the first time since it stalled in the House nearly two years ago.

The measure, which reads, "Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman," would effectively outlaw gay "marriage" if it reaches a two-thirds majority approval in Congress.

Wicker said that the bill was urgent and necessary given that the recent California court ruling could potentially force gay "marriage" on states.

"Invariably, couples from that state will now move to states like Mississippi, or the other states that have prohibitions on same-sex marriage," he said in a statement. "And they will ask that those 'marriages' be recognized."

Pro-family groups said they were upbeat about the bill, while emphasizing its importance in protecting families.

"Children are best served by having both a mother and a father," said Tom McClusky, vice president for government affairs at the Family Research Council, in a statement.

"To deprive a child of [that] is something that no government should be trying to push," he added.

The amendment, which was first introduced to Congress in 2002, stalled in the legislature after it failed to receive a two-thirds majority vote.