The Anti-Sam Brownback Blog

This week, the Washington DC city council will vote on a measure to allow civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. It would seem that a vote on such a measure would be a foregone conclusion in a city that voted 90% for John Kerry in 2004. However, the U.S. Senate has final veto power over all DC laws.

Who is the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the District? Senator Sam Brownback. Understandably so, council members are hesitant to pass this measure for fear of not only a veto, but other reprisals. 365gay.com reports:

Catania [a councilman] warns that “If the District trots out too far, we become a cause celebre for Congress to whip on.” A better strategy, he told the Post is to “try to make sustainable advances instead of ideal advances.”

“Whip on” is likely to be an understatement. I previously reported on Brownback’s warning about joint tax filing for gay couples:

“I have been and continue to be a strong believer and protector of traditional marriage. I think it’s an important issue for society and for the country,” Brownback said. “This issue has now been moving across the country for several years, and I guess we will deal with something in D.C. now.”

Brownback has not made a statement on the current measure under consideration, but I would expect a comment in the next few days. In the meantime, ponder traditional conservatives focus on States Rights and a small unobtrusive Federal Government. Ask yourself if a radical Senator from Kansas should have the ability to dictate policy to disenfranchised voters 1141 miles away. I think not.