Issue Position: Religious Liberty

Issue Position

In June 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision making same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states was a blow to the heart of our system of representative democracy. If you recall in 2005, more than 3/4's of Texas voters approved a state constitutional amendment which defined marriage as being between one man and one woman. Five justices have now invalidated part of the Texas Constitution in favor of their political agenda.

We must not allow this ruling to be a slippery slope that impacts the religious freedom of Texans. With that in mind, Mark co-sponsored the Pastor Protection Act (Senate Bill 2065) earlier this year. This bill, which was signed into law by Governor Abbott this summer, protects pastors and religious institutions from being forced to perform marriage ceremonies that contradict with their beliefs. It also protects them from penalties or discrimination for refusing to officiate over or sanction same-sex weddings.

Mark was also co-author of House Bill 4105, which would have protected our county clerks and deputies from issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

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