Steve Gunderson in Outsider in the House, by Bernie Sanders

On Civil Rights: Openly gay & only Republican to oppose DOMA

The Defense of Marriage Act would make gay spouses ineligible for federal benefits and would allow a state to refuse recognition of gay marriage legally performed elsewhere. The bill is introduced by Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA), who personally has a great deal of experience with the institution of marriage. He has been wed 3 times. Rep. Enid Waldholtz (R-Utah), Acting Speaker in this debate, is currently pressing charges against her former husband, Joe Waldholtz, who is cooling his heels in the slammer. And Speaker Gingrich divorced his former wife after her cancer operation, turned to the local church for help when Gingrich refused to pay child support. These are some of the main defenders of marriage taking the floor in the debate.

The Defense of Marriage Act is supported by EVERY Republican except Wisconsin's Steve Gunderson, who is openly gay. In fact, Gunderson provides some of the strongest and most emotional arguments on the floor against this absurd piece of legislation.

Source: Outsider in the House, by Bernie Sanders, p.135 Jun 17, 1997

The above quotations are from Outsider in the House by Bernie Sanders and Hank Gutman. Click here for other excerpts from Outsider in the House by Bernie Sanders and Hank Gutman. Click here for other excerpts by Steve Gunderson. Click here for a profile of Steve Gunderson.
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Page last updated: Feb 20, 2019