Without Representation

July 16 2010

Dear Mr. Savage:

Thank you for your recent correspondence. As your voice in Washington, I appreciate being made aware of your views.

Your thoughts regarding S. 424, Uniting American Families Act of 2009, were informative. This bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Should it come to the Senate floor for a vote, I will keep your views in mind.

Even though I return to the state almost every weekend, I do not always have the opportunity to listen to everyone's ideas. These ideas are important, as they are the building blocks of Oklahoma's representation here in Washington. When you share these ideas with me, you are sharing them with Congress and, in turn, the nation.

Again, thank you for your comments. Please do not hesitate to contact me again.

Sincerely, James M. Inhofe United States Senator

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July 19, 2010

Mr. Ronald Steve Savage
Edmond, OK

Dear Ronald:

Thank you for contacting me about the H.R. 1024, the Uniting American Families Act. Understanding your ideas and concerns is important to me, as it helps me to better represent you and the Fifth District of Oklahoma.

If enacted, H.R. 1024 would allow permanent same-sex partners of United States citizens and residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and permanent residents.

Marriage is, and shall remain, a union between one man and one woman, unless and until the people decide otherwise. I oppose efforts to redefine marriage, an institution that has endured and worked for thousands of years and am committed to working with members of Congress to continue promoting Oklahoma values.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your ideas and concerns. As the 111th Congress addresses the many challenges facing our nation, I hope you will continue to share your thoughts and views with me. However, due to increased security measures, mail delivery may be delayed. Accordingly, I encourage you to visit my website at www.fallin.house.gov to contact me via email as well as find useful information about Oklahoma's Fifth Congressional District.

Sincerely,

MaryFallin

Member of Congress

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September 1, 2010

Mr. Ron Savage
Edmond, Oklahoma

Dear Mr. Savage,
Thank you for writing to express your support for S.424, the Uniting American Families Act of 2009. I am glad that you wrote, and I apologize for the delay in my response.
The Uniting American Families Act, also known as UAFA, is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Two related bills are in the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. As you know, this proposal would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to place a "permanent partner" on equal status with that of a legal marriage partner. The act defines "permanent partners" as individuals, age 18 or older, who are "in a committed, intimate relationship" and "intend a lifelong commitment."
I understand your desire to provide immigration options for same-gender couples, but I cannot support the proposal for two important reasons. First, it would create a new federal definition of marriage, and second, it does not provide adequate safeguards against immigration fraud.

This act would grant immigration status based on a relationship that is not recognized by federal law and that is expressly prohibited by most states. In fact, the Defense of Marriage Act, overwhelmingly approved by Congress in 1996, specifically defined marriage as "a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife," and the word "spouse" as only "a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or wife." If Congress were to recognize same-gender relationships through this Act, it would contradict federal law and the laws of 90 percent of our states.

The risk of fraud resulting from enactment of this legislation is also extremely high, because consulate offices will have no legal documents with which to verify the relationships of applicants. The only available options for verification would be self-reporting and statements from friends and family. The act requires the "partners" to be "financially interdependent," but they will have no joint income tax returns or any other federally recognized documentation of shared assets. Without adequate documentation, preventing fraud would be virtually impossible.

While individuals involved in same-sex relationships are eligible to apply for immigration under the same conditions as any other individual from their home country, I cannot support giving their applications the same urgency as those of legally married spouses.

I am sorry that we disagree on this issue, but I am glad that you wrote. I certainly encourage you to write again with any further thoughts. Best wishes!

Sincerely,

Tom A. Coburn, M.D.
United States Senator