There are eighteen members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Ten of them are Democrats. Nine of them are either supporters or co-sponsors of S.598, the Respect For Marriage Act of 2011, which would repeal DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act.
One Democratic Senator is not yet a supporter or co-sponsor: Herb Kohl of Wisconsin.
Ten votes are necessary to move S.598 out of committee for a vote on the Senate floor.
The Courage Campaign has asked its members to contact Senator Kohl, and I'm asking all you awesome Badger Kossacks -- marchers, canvassers, recallers and bloggers -- to do the same.
It will just take a minute or two to call his office and tell the staffer the you support S.598 and would like to know Senator Kohl's position on the bill, or to email him and ask him to support the bill.
Here's his full contact information, including his Washington phone, his email, his Washington address, some local office phone numbers and a local office address.
HERB KOHL
WISCONSIN
202-224-5653, 1-800-247-5645
email
330 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
715-832-8424, 608-264-5338, 414-297-4451, 920-738-1640
310 W. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 950, Milwaukee, WI 53203
You can also contact him via the Courage Campaign.
If you do talk to a staffer, let us all know here what the person says.
Here's a couple of messages Courage Campaign members have left for Senator Kohl:
Amanda in Kenosha: "Dear Senator Kohl, I am writing as a Wisconsin resident (Kenosha), as a Navy veteran, and as a woman who is legally married to another woman (dependent, of course, on where we are geographically positioned). As you're aware, in Wisconsin my wife and I are little more than roommates, providing many complications for us and our two children (Alex is 11 and Kenzie is 7). I served to defend the premise of freedom and liberty and equality, and would be most grateful if you would serve under the same premise. Please, co-sponsor the DOMA repeal. It's the right and just thing to do."
Elna in Bayside: "I have always voted for Senator Kohl -- as the mother of a gay son and his partner of 29 years it is vital to their well-being that Sen. Kohl joins in making the repeal happen!!! Please do what is right for my sons -- and those friends and family members that I love. This is a human rights issue -- PLEASE -- be the one who takes this stand -- I don't like saying courageous, but if that is how you need to see it -- then please do."
Will getting Senator Kohl on board repeal DOMA immediately? Of course not. But it's a necessary and important step along the way. When the President said that he believed DOMA was unconstitutional and would no longer defend it in court that was an incredible victory.
Now we need to get Congress to prepare the foundation for repeal, if not this session then next. And we need to keep up public awareness about the issue. Getting the bill a hearing and a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee are important ways of doing these things, and Senator Kohl is a key player.
p.s. Recall 'em all !!!!!
p.p.s And then recall Scott Walker!
p.p.p.s Thank you!
HERB KOHL
WISCONSIN
202-224-5653, 1-800-247-5645
email
330 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
715-832-8424, 608-264-5338, 414-297-4451, 920-738-1640
310 W. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 950, Milwaukee, WI 53203