WASHINGTON – Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s shocking decision on Obergefell v. Hodges. In an unprecedented act of judicial activism, the Court effectively rewrote the Constitution, silenced 50 Million American voters, and stole away the ability of 50 States to determine their marriage laws:

“The narrowest of a majority of the Supreme Court today engaged in blatant judicial extremism and subverted the clear language and meaning of the Constitution. For five unelected lawyers to claim that authors of the 14th Amendment, and indeed the entire nation, have secretly been violating the Constitution in the 146 years since is utter nonsense.

“By imposing their personal biases on all of America, these five attorneys have declared the votes of 50 Million Americans, including the 417,627 Kansans who voted to adopt my Marriage Protection Amendment, null and void. True marriage is between one man and one woman – no Court can change that truth. But with this opinion, these five judicial ‘ministers’ have not only bestowed their blessing on ‘homosexual marriages’ but, as Justice Roberts outlines, all plural unions.

“Worse still, the opinion of these five lawyers clearly threatens the liberties of the tens of millions of individuals, businesses and churches who refuse to accept the radical edict from Washington. Those who support ‘homosexual marriage’ are already demanding that government intimidate and coerce us to accept this radical redefinition. This is not just about wedding photos, cakes, or venues – it is the fundamental First Amendment rights we all have as Americans to live as we believe.

“Congress has a responsibility to push back against this extreme and to protect the rights of Americans to pass state laws and amendments that protect traditional marriage. That is why I am sponsoring the Marriage Protection Amendment, which would define marriage as the union between one man and one woman. I am also a sponsor of the First Amendment Defense Act, which would specifically protect the religious liberties of Americans and ensure the government cannot coerce us to participate in ceremonies contrary to the tenets of our faiths. Congress should take up these critical initiatives without delay.”