Des Moines Register - GOP's Steve King: Ruling Didn't Redefine Definition of Marriage

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By Jennifer Jacobs

Although Republican Steve King disagrees that the federal marriage law known as DOMA is unconstitutional, he noted today that the court ruling didn't redefine the definition of marriage.

"It is important to realize that the Supreme Court intentionally chose not to find a constitutional right to marry anyone you choose, whether same-sex, or otherwise," King, a congressman from western Iowa said in a written statement. "Legally speaking, states are now the sole body responsible for identifying legal marriages."

King said he is "disappointed" that the U.S. States Supreme Court ruled that the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. The act denied legally married gay and lesbian couples recognition from the federal government. The court also dismissed California's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, which means gay and lesbian couples will once again be able to marry in that state.

"The American people should hold the power to determine marriage policy, not the Supreme Court," King said. "I believe DOMA meets all constitutional standards and I am disappointed that a technical, standing issue means that gay marriage is legal in California despite the will of the voters who enacted Proposition 8."

King said "38 states to date have chosen to identify only traditional marriage."

"The attempt to redefine marriage will not change the fact that limited government should be responsible for making this decision, and that marriage marks the sacred union of one man and one woman," he said.

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