WASHINGTON — Sen. Orrin Hatch is dismissing some critics' views that there are better things to discuss than the proposed ban on gay marriage, now pending before the U.S. Senate.

Hatch, a Republican representing Utah, made a floor statement Tuesday supporting a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage as the Senate prepared for its procedural vote today. Sixty votes are needed to allow the Senate to take up the actual amendment for a floor vote. It is not expected to pass, based on vote count estimates, which leaves the amendment untouched and without its own up or down vote.

"This might not be a major issue for those who live inside the Beltway, but for my neighbors in Salt Lake City, my constituents throughout Utah, and good, decent Americans across our country, this is a critical issue," Hatch said. "I support this amendment. It is merely a congressional affirmation of what the vast majority of citizens in Utah and across the country already believe — marriage should be between one man and one woman."

Senators from both sides made statements all day Tuesday, picking up the debate that started on Monday.

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., objects to the amendment from several aspects.

"I happen to believe that two adults who love each other and want to make a lifelong commitment to each other, with all of the responsibilities that that entails, should be able to do so, regardless of their sex. I know others strongly disagree," said Feingold, who spoke just before Hatch on the Senate floor.

"The debate we are having in the Senate, however, is not about whether states should permit same-sex marriage," he said. "The debate is about whether we should amend the Constitution of the United States to define marriage. The answer to that question has to be 'no.' It is unnecessary and wrong for Congress to legislate for all states, for all time, on a matter that has been traditionally handled by the states and religious institutions since the founding of our nation. For that reason alone, this amendment should be defeated."

Hatch is a co-sponsor of the amendment and will vote yes on the procedural vote today. He said his office phones "have been ringing off the hook" with calls from constituents about the issue. "I understand that some of my colleagues believe that we should be debating something that they see as of greater consequence," Hatch said. "But for many in this body, and for millions of people throughout the country, including in my home state of Utah, no issue is more important. As we see it, marriage and family life are the bedrock of American society — the schoolhouse of American citizenship."

But Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., called the vote and pending amendment a "cynical election year ploy." She said this only "pops up like clockwork around election year time."