Since 1998, voters in 20 states have passed state constitutional amendments defining marriage as the exclusive union between one man and one woman. On June 7, 2006, U.S. Senators from 8 of those 20 states failed to support the federal Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA). Voters in Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota and Oregon may wonder why.

In ARKANSAS, with 75% of the electorate having approved a state marriage amendment, Senators Lincoln and Pryor voted against MPA.

In HAWAII, where 69% of voters passed a state constitutional amendment, Senators Akaka and Inouye both voted against MPA.

In LOUISIANA, where 78% of voters amended Louisiana’s Constitution to protect marriage, Senator Landrieu voted against MPA.

In MICHIGAN, where 59% of voters passed an amendment for traditional marriage, Senators Levin and Stabenow voted against MPA.

In MONTANA, where 66% of the voters approved the traditional definition of marriage as a state constitutional amendment, Senator Baucus voted against MPA.

In NEBRASKA, after 70% of his constituents passed an amendment protecting marriage, Senator Hagel did not show up for the vote on MPA. Instead, he visited Omaha to attend a speech on immigration by President Bush that day.

In NEVADA, where 67% of voters approved amending the state constitution to define one-man, one-woman marriage, Senator Reid voted against MPA.

In NORTH DAKOTA, where 73% of voters passed a marriage amendment, Senators Conrad and Dorgan voted against MPA.

In OREGON, where 58% of the electorate approved a state constitutional amendment for traditional marriage, Senator Wyden voted against MPA.