Washington, D.C. —Rep. Barry Moore (AL-02) released the following statement in opposition to the Senate-amended Respect for Marriage Act that repeals the Defense of Marriage Act, a law already struck down by the Supreme Court via Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015.
“Radical Washington Democrats have spent years fearmongering and delegitimizing the Supreme Court, even threatening conservative constitutional Justices, to exploit issues like gay marriage and advance unrelated and dangerous policies," said Moore. "This bill is a gift to radical progressive activists and a politicized DOJ who are hostile to Americans who hold faith in anything other than a benevolent Big Government. For the countless Americans and businesses who will now be subject to government-sanctioned harassment and expensive lawsuits, process will be the punishment, and many will be forced to choose between constitutional expressions of faith or bankruptcy and public shaming.
"It is incredibly discouraging that so many Republicans would go along with this Democrat scheme and use a weak Senate messaging amendment as a fig leaf to justify their support, simply to get this issue off their plates. Any American looking to Republicans to show the courage to protect the right of free exercise of religion should be understandably disappointed."
Background: The Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell recognized a legal right to same-sex marriage and gave those marriages legal rights in every state. The Supreme Court majority in Dobbs made clear that its holding did not cast doubt or put into question any of its precedents, including Obergefell and the right to same-sex marriage.
The bill passed by the House today provides the Attorney General and individuals claiming to be harmed by violations of this bill to bring civil suit in federal court. The Senate-amended bill also does not protect private entities if they are determined to be a state actor as a result of the services they offer on behalf of a government. Senate Republicans offered three amendments, which all failed, that would have eliminated the private right of action and prevented the government from taking action that would deprive religious and faith-based organizations of their tax-exempt status, licenses, and government contracts.
For years, the Left has sought to undermine the legitimacy of the Court, organizing smear campaigns against Justice Kavanaugh and Justice Thomas. Senator Chuck Schumer even threatened Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh by name, saying they have “released the whirlwind and . . . will pay the price” for their decisions. This rhetoric is irresponsible, imperiling the security of justices and their families. This bill, and its assumption that the Court will strike down same-sex and interracial marriage, is an extension of these delegitimization efforts.
Groups Opposed to this legislation: Heritage Action Faith and Freedom Coalition Family Research Council CatholicVote Concerned Women for America Eagle Forum Alliance Defending Freedom American Association of Christian Schools Agudath Israel of America Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE) Centennial Institute Christian Employers Alliance Ethics and Public Policy Center Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Family Policy Alliance Focus on the Family Heritage Foundation Liberty Counsel Lifeline Children’s Services NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) Religious Freedom Institute Samaritan’s Purse US Conference of Catholic Bishops | 