Cubin Takes Stand to Defend Marriage
Cubin Takes Stand to Defend Marriage
Introduces Bill to Prevent Activist Courts From Attacking Traditional Marriage
Washington - U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin (R-WY) took a stand for traditional marriage today as she joined with several colleagues to introduce legislation to prevent unelected, lifetime-appointed federal judges from forcing states like Wyoming to accept same-sex marriage licenses granted in other states.
Rep. Cubin worked to enact similar legislation last year.
"I believe, just like most Americans, that marriage is between a man and a woman no matter if it's called a 'civil union' or anything else," said Cubin. "The rights of states like Wyoming to define marriage as they see fit are being trampled by activist courts."
The legislation introduced today will prevent federal courts from hearing challenges to the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.
The U.S. Constitution, as well as Supreme Court precedents upholding a variety of statutes limiting federal court jurisdiction, make clear that Congress has the authority to remove jurisdiction over legal issues from federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill introduced today preserves the will of the people by making certain that the definition of marriage is not decided for states by activist federal judges.
"No matter what the politically correct movement says, we know in our hearts what is right," said Cubin. "Marriage is between a man and a woman, and no amount of activist rulings by liberal courts will ever change that."
"Unfortunately, a few radical courts are imposing decisions that have to be honored all over the country," continued Cubin. "The social standards of a few liberal judges in Massachusetts shouldn't hold sway over the people of Wyoming. Activist judges are writing law from the bench, and disregarding the people's right to speak through their elected representatives. That's just wrong, and I'm going to keep voting to put a stop to it."
The U.S. House approved similar legislation last year, though it died in the Senate.
http://www.house.gov/cubin/news/2005/March03e.html