Proving once again that he cares about integrity and principles above political expediency, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) walked out of the Judiciary Committee meeting today that was considering an anti-marriage equality amendment to the US Consitution. Despite acknowledgement by committee chairman Sen. Arlen Specter that he does not support the bill, derision by some conservatives, and an acknowledgement by most that the amendment has no chance of passing, Republicans are continuing to move forward with a bill based on hate to mollify their extreme right wing base.

Besides disagreeing with the subject of the amendment, Feingold’s protest was based on the movement of the hearing from the Senate Office Building to the President’s Room which “is not open to the public and does not even have enough chairs for every Senator on the committee to sit.”

Sen. Feingold’s office released this statement:

“Today’s markup of the constitutional amendment concerning marriage, in a small room off the Senate floor with only a handful of people other than Senators and their staffs present, was an affront to the Constitution. I objected to its consideration in such an inappropriate setting and refused to help make a quorum. I am deeply disappointed that the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee went forward with the markup over my objection. Unfortunately, the Majority Leader has set a politically motivated schedule for floor consideration of this measure that the Chairman felt compelled to follow, even though he says he opposes the amendment.

Constitutional amendments deserve the most careful and deliberate consideration of any matter that comes before the Senate. In addition to hearings and a subcommittee markup, such a measure should be considered by the Judiciary Committee in the light of day, open to the press and the public, with cameras present so that the whole country can see what is done. Open and deliberate debate on such an important matter cannot take place in a setting such as the one chosen by the Chairman of the Committee today.

The Constitution of the United States is an historic guarantee of individual freedom. It has served as a beacon of hope, an example to people around the world who yearn to be free and to live their lives without government interference in their most basic human decisions. I took an oath when I joined this body to support and defend the Constitution. I will continue to fight this mean-spirited, divisive, poorly drafted, and misguided amendment when it comes to the Senate floor.”

Feingold continues to stand up for the civil rights of all Americans.

Reports RawStory, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) has announced his support for full gay marriage rights.

United States Senator Russ Feingold this week indicated that he not only opposes a constitutional amendment in Wisconsin to ban gay marriage and civil unions, but in fact, favors full marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.

Calling such a ban a “mean-spirited attempt to divide Wisconsin,” Feingold urged constituents at a Paddock Lake “listening session” not to support it.

He went on to argue not just for civil unions, but gay marriage.

“Gay and lesbian couples should be able to marry and have access to the same rights, privileges and benefits that straight couples currently enjoy.” Feingold went on to add, “[This] kind of discrimination … has no place in our laws, especially in a progressive state like Wisconsin. The time has come to end this discrimination and the politics of divisiveness that has become part of this issue.”

The Senator went on to argue that religious groups do not have to recognize any civil marriage.

Huzzah Senator.