President Bush promoting US ban on gay marriage

George W Bush, the US president

George W Bush, the US president, will promote a constitutional ban on gay marriage on the eve of a Senate vote next week, weighing in on an issue that could rally his wavering conservative base in an election year.

Though the proposed constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage stands little chance of passing, it is one of several hot-button causes Republicans are championing to appeal to right-wing voters ahead of November's congressional ballot.

Bush planned to use his weekly radio address on Saturday and a White House speech yesterday to push for the amendment that would allow states to recognise only marriages between men and women, administration officials said.

Bush usually reticent about views
Bush has never made a secret of his views on the issue but has rarely talked about it in public until now. "He believes the institution of marriage is between a man and a woman," Tony Snow , the White House spokesperson told reporters. "The president's made it clear what he wants. He would like to see the Senate pass the bill."

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the amendment along party lines after a heated session on May 18 - because the measure seeks to change the Constitution, it must pass both houses of Congress by a two-thirds majority and then be approved by at least 38 states.

The full Senate will take up the measure on Monday with a vote expected later in the week, but the bill's sponsor, Colorado Republican Wayne Allard, has acknowledged he has far fewer than the 67 votes needed to win passage. - Reuters