Specter To Feingold: Good Riddance! (UPDATED)

This AP story does a great job summarizing what happened in a recent Judiciary Committee hearing on a Constitutional Amendment to ban gay marriage. There were apparently fireworks and some choice words exchanged between the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Arlen Specter, and one of the most vocal oppenents of the Bush Administration, Sen. Russ Feingold. Here's what happened:

WASHINGTON - A Senate committee approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage Thursday, after a shouting match that ended when one Democrat strode out and the Republican chairman bid him "good riddance."

"I don't need to be lectured by you. You are no more a protector of the Constitution than am I," Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., shouted after Sen. Russ Feingold declared his opposition to the amendment, his affinity for the Constitution and his intention to leave the meeting.

"If you want to leave, good riddance," Specter finished.

"I've enjoyed your lecture, too, Mr. Chairman," replied Feingold, D-Wis., who is considering a run for president in 2008. "See ya."

Amid increasing partisan tension over President Bush's judicial nominees and domestic wiretapping, the panel voted along party lines to send the constitutional amendment — which would prohibit states from recognizing same-sex marriages — to the full Senate, where it stands little chance of passing.

Holy crap. I wish I had the opportunity to see this. Hopefull C-SPAN will play this hearing at some point.

UPDATE: A statement from Feingold's office says the following:

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. [...]

I'm not a huge Feingold fan, but I have to agree with him on this one. Ammending our constitution is not the appropriate way to address the gay marriage issue. The ammendment will likely be voted down in the full Senate. Also, it seems that the heated exchange between the Chairman and Feingold was not caught on camera. Too bad.