The Idaho Republican Party is pushing for a resolution asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the 2015 ruling that legalized marriage equality nationwide.
An Idaho House committee will consider an action by state Rep. Heather Scott (R-Blanchard) to declare the high court’s decision in the following cases: Obergefell vs. Hodges “Unlawful excesses.”
Scott’s resolution asks the court to restore the “natural definition of marriage” and limit the practice to heterosexual couples only.
For a decade, conservatives have lamented court decisions that ruled state-level bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. They complain that the court has imposed a one-size-fits-all approach that promotes a particular ideological view of marriage.
“The sole purpose of this resolution is to affirm the state’s power to regulate marriage,” Scott said during a Jan. 7 hearing. The committee reportedly brought forward Scott’s resolution, meaning it will hold a public hearing in the future. idaho politician.
If ultimately passed, the resolution will be sent to the Supreme Court. However, the resolution is symbolic, carries no legal weight, and does not require the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling.
But other ongoing legal battles, including one involving former Kentucky employee Kim Davis, are helping same-sex couples who oppose marriage equality avoid fines for refusing to obtain marriage licenses. We are trying to solve this issue and may eventually resolve it. To the High Court.
Mr. Davis’ lawyers at the right-wing law firm Liberty Counsel said they intend to appeal the case to the Supreme Court and ask the court to overturn the ruling. Obergefell decision.
At least two sitting Supreme Court justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, have previously urged the high court to reconsider the House ruling. Obergefell case.
Since the ruling, liberals have been alarmed by the confirmation of three Supreme Court justices appointed by President Trump and the court’s move to overturn precedent in abortion rights cases, calling for the federal government to protect same-sex rights. I asked for it. couple getting married.
The push ultimately led to the Democratic-controlled Congress passing the Respect for Marriage Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022.
Under the law, compulsion arises when Obergefell If it were to be overturned, both the federal government and states would have to recognize the validity of same-sex marriages legally performed in states without bans, regardless of whether they have same-sex marriage bans. Dew.
Idaho Democrats have largely dismissed the resolution as a “sad distraction” from more important issues.
“This is another example of the extreme elements of the Republican Party inventing divisive social issues in order to create problems where none exist,” said House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, a Democrat. , Boise), said Senate Minority Leader Melissa Winstroh (D-Boise). said in a statement. “Big government has no obligation to tell consenting adults who to love.
“While this resolution may be a useful gimmick to win in the closed Republican primary, it is important to note that individuals who value their rights and freedoms and simply want to live their lives without gross government interference It should be offensive to all Idahoans.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
