October 6th, 2014
As Timothy noted, reactions from leading Republicans to today’s Supreme Court non-decision have been noticeably muted so far. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) however abhors a vacuum:
“The Supreme Court’s decision to let rulings by lower court judges stand that redefine marriage is both tragic and indefensible,” said Sen. Cruz. “By refusing to rule if the States can define marriage, the Supreme Court is abdicating its duty to uphold the Constitution. The fact that the Supreme Court Justices, without providing any explanation whatsoever, have permitted lower courts to strike down so many state marriage laws is astonishing.
“This is judicial activism at its worst. The Constitution entrusts state legislatures, elected by the People, to define marriage consistent with the values and mores of their citizens. Unelected judges should not be imposing their policy preferences to subvert the considered judgments of democratically elected legislatures.”
And by gum, he’s gonna do something about it.
“Marriage is a question for the States. That is why I have introduced legislation, S. 2024, to protect the authority of state legislatures to define marriage. And that is why, when Congress returns to session, I will be introducing a constitutional amendment to prevent the federal government or the courts from attacking or striking down state marriage laws.
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Mark F.
October 6th, 2014
You might have gotten your “State’s Rights” marriage amendment 10 years ago, Ted. Now you’re just grandstanding.
Timothy Kincaid
October 6th, 2014
Cruz should tread softly.
Cruz wants to be the Republican nominee for President. And while this could help his chances in some states, if he goes off in this direction two things will happen.
1) The party structure will carefully sideline him and work to be certain that he gets hit badly in the opening primary votes. Party operatives cannot just push whomever they want into office, but if they work together they can keep whomever they don’t want out.
2) Cruz will set himself up to look incompetent. If he presents an amendment it will get virtually zero support.
The last go round, last summer, it got about 10% of the House (almost all southern Republicans) to sign on and I don’t believe they got any Senators.
And remember Rep Tim Huelskamp who sponsored the bill? No, of course you don’t.
But shortly after his anti-gay bill, GOP leadership stripped his key committee appointments.
BJohnM
October 6th, 2014
I agree. I suspect there’s a huge list of Congressional and Senate candidates on the Republican side who heaved a huge sigh of relief when this issue basically got taken off the table today.
They can go home and claim the House defended DOMA, but if SCOTUS wouldn’t stand up and do the right thing…well, that’s just how our system works. So, they get the benefit of claiming they did their best in front of the tea party rallies, and then just not mention it everywhere else.
Unfortunately, if Cruz gets his bill going, they’re all going to be getting asked if they are signing on. He’s not doing anything to make himself popular with the rest of the gang.
Neil
October 6th, 2014
Ted Cruz for President in 2016 is over.
MattNYC
October 7th, 2014
The Canadian school system obviously does not do a good job at defining “Judicial Activism.” NOT taking the case means that they see no new issues (post-Windsor) in the cases denied a hearing.
Paul Douglas
October 7th, 2014
I don’t want Ted Cruz for President in 2016 to be over. I want him to run like a demon for it.
And take the rest of the republicons to hell with him.
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