GOP vows to protect religious freedom after gay marriage ruling

Senate Republicans are pledging to protect religious freedom after a Supreme Court ruling Friday legalized same-sex marriage across the country.

In a 5-4 decision, the court said there is a right to same-sex marriage in all 50 states, handing a historic win for gay rights.

Sen. John McCain said in the wake of the ruling that he is “committed to upholding the religious freedom protections afforded to all of us under our Constitution.” 

{mosads}The Arizona Republican, who is up for reelection next year and could face a primary challenge, added that “while I have deep respect for Americans on all sides of the issue, I disagree with today’s decision.”

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) criticized the Supreme Court for “imposing the views of five elected judges on a country that is still in the midst of making up its mind about marriage.” 

Lee, who is also up for reelection, said he would work on getting his legislation passed, the First Amendment Defense Act, which he says would “prevent the federal government from discriminating against anyone who believes that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.” 

Meanwhile, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said that he will “continue to work to protect the First Amendment rights of those who, based on their religious convictions, oppose same-sex marriage.” 

Not every Republican took issue with the Supreme Court’s decision.

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) tweeted after the ruling that “life comes down to who you love and who loves you back. Government has no place in the middle!!” 

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) added that while he would have preferred to let state governments settle the issue of same-sex marriage, he “decided to support marriage equality after I came to understand this issue better in the context of my own family.”

Portman previously endorsed same-sex marriage, explaining that he changed his views after his son revealed he was gay.

Kirk and Portman are both up for reelection next year, with Kirk facing a potentially difficult reelection bid in a blue-leaning state. 

Senate Democrats largely praised Friday’s decision, though Sen. Joe Manchin, who is opposed to same-sex marriage, released a terse statement on the court’s decision. 

“America is a nation of laws, and we must respect and abide by the Supreme Court’s decision,” the West Virginia Democrat said.