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Cornyn gives approval to marriage language

WASHINGTON, March 22 (UPI) -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, voiced his approval Monday to changes made to the federal Marriage amendment intended to broaden its appeal.

"The changes to this amendment are technical clarifications that are important to help move it forward, but are legally and technically minor," Cornyn, the chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution, which holds a hearing Tuesday on the amendment, said.

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Among the changes are the elimination of language that could also be interpreted to prohibit so-called civil unions, a move than has drawn opposition from some groups who said they could otherwise support a gay marriage ban.

The amendment, which has support from both Democrats and Republicans, is intended to prevent states from being forced to recognize marriages between anything other than one man and one woman as legitimate.

"The sponsors of this amendment have said clearly that they want to protect marriage between a man and a woman, but leave other arrangements to the state legislatures," Cornyn said.

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