Cruz bill stops Obama from ‘forcing’ gay marriage onto states

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) introduced a bill Wednesday to ensure states don’t have to adhere to the federal definition of “marriage” and “spouse.”

S. 2024, the State Marriage Defense Act, would require that the federal government give the same deference to the 33 states that define marriage as the union between one man and one woman as it does to the 17 states that recognize same-sex unions.

{mosads}“Under President Obama, the federal government has tried to re-define marriage, and to undermine the constitutional authority of each state to define marriage consistent with the values of its citizens,” Cruz said Thursday. “The Obama administration should not be trying to force gay marriage on all 50 states.”

Cruz and Lee said Obama should respect states’ rights to define marriage, rather than it being “dictated from Washington.”

“I support traditional marriage,” Cruz said. “This bill will safeguard the ability of states to preserve traditional marriage for its residents.”

The Supreme Court recently struck down provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act, saying it was discrimination for the federal government to not recognize gay marriages that are legal within some states. Although the court decision allows states to still determine whether to recognize same-sex marriage, Cruz and Lee said the administration is using the ruling to “force” a same-sex marriage agenda.

“It is clear the Obama administration finds the principles of federalism inconvenient in its effort to force states to redefine the institution of marriage,” Lee said. “The State Marriage Defense Act provides an important protection for states, respecting the right to choose for themselves how each will treat the institution of marriage under the law.”

Supporters of gay marriage argue that its a human rights issue and that everyone should have the right to get married.