Forbes Releases Statement on SCOTUS' Decisions Concerning "DOMA' and "Prop 8'

Statement

Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), today, released this statement in response to the Supreme Court of the United States' decisions on the cases Hollingsworth v. Perry, and United States v. Windsor:

"Today, the Supreme Court announced two marriage decisions: dismissing the case of Hollingsworth v. Perry, challenging California's Proposition 8, due to a lack of standing; and deciding United States v. Windsor not based on principles of law or on the Constitution, but rather a perceived congressional motive. As Justice Scalia noted in his dissent, "It is a familiar principle of constitutional law that this Court will not strike down an otherwise constitutional statute on the basis of an alleged illicit legislative motive…By holding to the contrary, the majority has declared open season on any law that (in the opinion of the law's opponents and any panel of like-minded federal judges) can be characterized as mean-spirited.

I agree with Justice Scalia and share his concern for those that continue to believe in traditional marriage. The Court not only overturned a foundational principle of our society, but has threatened the right of religious freedom in this country.Thirty-seven states, including Virginia, define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, however the Court's classification of support of tradition traditional marriage as mean-spirited and animus calls into question the ability of people of faith to freely express their religious views without fear of discrimination or retribution."

Source