Quotes of the day

“House conservatives say they will pursue legislation that would ban gay marriage in the nation’s capital.

“Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC), told The Hill that he will push for a vote on the controversial issue in the 112th Congress. The RSC has 175 members.

“‘I think RSC will push for it, and I’m certainly strongly for it. I don’t know if we’ve made a decision if I’ll do it or let another member do it, but I’m 100 percent for it,’ Jordan said.”

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“On Dec. 15, the Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) and other conservative groups met with Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC), and learned that the group’s focus in 2011 was going to be on fiscal issues. R. Clarke Cooper, LCR’s executive director, walked away from that meeting reassured that the GOP wouldn’t be going after LGBT rights when they took control of the House…

“Cooper said that he was ‘very disappointed’ by [today’s] announcement. ‘From our perspective, not only is it an attack on states’ rights, but it goes in direct violation to the DC Human Rights Act,’ he added…

“Asked for clarification, Jordan’s Press Secretary Meghan Snyder said that the congressman’s top priorities are still creating jobs and reducing government spending. However, she added, he also ‘believes that, in addition to addressing our country’s fiscal issues, advocating for low taxes, less spending and a strong national defense, conservatives must advocate for traditional family values like life and marriage. Family is the cornerstone upon which our communities, our states and our nation is built, and conservatives must lead the way in promoting the strengths of the traditional family whenever we can.'”

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“Log Cabin Republicans deputy executive director Christian Berle told The Advocate that his organization has not yet spoken with Jordan’s staff or any other member of Congress on the potential legislation. Log Cabin issued the following statement Tuesday:

“‘Last November the American people made their priorities perfectly clear,’ Log Cabin Republicans executive director R. Clarke Cooper said. ‘The primary mission of this Congress is to address trillions of dollars in deficits and out of control government spending, which will not happen if individual members take their eyes off the ball to manufacture controversy. Just two months ago, Congressman Jordan said to me ‘Democrats are the party of government; we are the party of principle.’ Today I am calling upon him to remember the core Republican principle that respects local government and states’ rights over interference from federal lawmakers.

“‘This Congress has important work to do without meddling in local affairs,’ Cooper continued. ‘Such an overreach sends a mixed message from a Republican party actively trying to shrink the role of government in Americans’ daily lives.'”