Paul Ryan reverses course on gay adoption; says he regrets 1999 vote
Thu. May 2, 2013 8:52 AM by OnTopMag.com
Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan on Monday reversed course on gay adoption, saying that he regrets a 1999 vote.
During a Wisconsin town hall, Ryan was asked to explain his long record of voting against gay rights. Ryan rates a zero percent by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for not co-sponsoring any of the 11 gay rights-related bills currently before Congress, including the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Ryan said he would undo a 1999 vote against adoption for gay and lesbian couples in the District of Columbia.
"Adoption, I'd vote differently these days. That was I think a vote I took in my first term, 1999 or 2000. I do believe that if there are children who are orphans who do not have a loving person or couple ... I think if a person wants to love and raise a child they ought to be able to do that. Period. I would vote that way," he said.
Ryan, however, went on to add: "I do believe marriage is between a man and a woman, we just respectfully disagree on that issue."
During the 2012 presidential campaign, Mitt Romney repeatedly stated his opposition to allowing gay couples to adopt children.
During a Wisconsin town hall, Ryan was asked to explain his long record of voting against gay rights. Ryan rates a zero percent by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for not co-sponsoring any of the 11 gay rights-related bills currently before Congress, including the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Ryan said he would undo a 1999 vote against adoption for gay and lesbian couples in the District of Columbia.
"Adoption, I'd vote differently these days. That was I think a vote I took in my first term, 1999 or 2000. I do believe that if there are children who are orphans who do not have a loving person or couple ... I think if a person wants to love and raise a child they ought to be able to do that. Period. I would vote that way," he said.
Ryan, however, went on to add: "I do believe marriage is between a man and a woman, we just respectfully disagree on that issue."
During the 2012 presidential campaign, Mitt Romney repeatedly stated his opposition to allowing gay couples to adopt children.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine