[steve-b]

The Hatch amendment this time would basically leave the issue of so-called "gay" marriage to state legislatures.

Which is what all true conservatives recognize as the proper approach to an issue that inherently belongs to the states.

[Theodore R.]

No, the "full faith and credit" section of Article IV of the Constitution of the United States trumps state laws in regard to public records, court proceedings, etc. If any one state permits "legal" same-sex marriages, such "unions" must be recognized by the other 49 states. That's whay "states' rights" won't work on this issue. The liberal Supreme Court of the United States may yet strike down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act as in conflict with Article IV.