Pitts, and Hartzler on SCOTUS Marriage Ruling

Statement

Congressman Joe Pitts (PA-16) and Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) released the following statements after the Supreme Court ruled today in Obergefell v. Hodges, on whether to affirm marriage and preserve the rights of Americans in each state to debate and decide on marriage law and policy:

Congressman Pitts: "Despite the votes of 5 unelected lawyers, marriage was between a man and a woman at the time that the Fourteenth Amendment was enacted, at the Founding of our country, and in every time and place until 2004. Just two short years ago, the same five justices insisted that marriage was a policy decision that properly belonged to the states. Today's ruling will lead to grave infringements of religious freedom across the United States. Every American should be free to affirm the truth about marriage without being punished by the government. In the wake of this decision, we must ensure that no governmental entity is ever permitted to discriminate against Americans because they affirm the truth about marriage. No one should be forced to choose between their faith and their livelihood."

Congresswoman Hartzler: "I am disappointed in the Court's decision to stifle the voices of Missouri's voters. Decisions on marriage policy should be left in the hands of the 50 states, allowing those who wish to define marriage as being between one man and one woman, as we did in Missouri, to do so. Today's ruling tramples on the voice of the people. I will continue to champion marriage as the union between one man and one woman so every child has the opportunity to have both a mom and a dad."

Background: The Supreme Court ruled today on Obergefell v. Hodges, which combines separate cases from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee and states that had defined, for legal purposes, marriage as between one man and one woman.

Both members signed an amicus brief urging the Court to affirm the decision of the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the rights of states to maintain their traditional marriage laws.

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