Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are currently deciding how to vote on a bill extending the freedom to marry to all loving couples in Rhode Island -- and today, they got a big push from some of their colleagues.
Two Republican Senators, Sen. Dawson Hodgson (a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee) and Sen. Chris Ottiano, penned an op-ed calling on committee members to approve marriage equality and send the bill to the Senate floor for a vote.
Citing values like individual liberty, limited government, personal responsibility, and economic growth -- the Senators presented their case for allowing same-sex couples to share in the freedom to marry:
"As Republicans, we believe our party should stand up for the rights of individuals and stand against intrusive government. As individuals, we believe in embracing the Golden Rule: To treat others as we would like to be treated. It’s not only the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do if we want to win the hearts and minds of voters.
We need to speak to the hopes and dreams of Americans of all walks of life, presenting a pro-freedom agenda that includes and empowers each individual. To modernize, we must recognize that freedom truly means freedom for everyone. That is how we pledge to govern."
An overwhelming majority of Rhode Islanders -- 60% in fact -- agree that the Ocean State needs to join every other state in New England and extend the freedom to marry to all committed couples. Hundreds of these fair-minded folks are coming together this weekend to propel our campaign forward. Click here to join them, and spend your weekend helping to win marriage!
