Politics & Government

Missouri Legislators, Organizations Split Positions on Supreme Court Decision

Congressmen, senators and other officials laud and boo the decision on DOMA and Proposition 8.

The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act and to determine that the group that filed suit against California’s Proposition 8 didn't have standing to file has Missouri legislators and organizations speaking out positively and negatively.

Wednesday morning, the Supreme Court struck down parts of DOMA with a 5-4 opinion that basically allows gay and lesbian couples to receive the same recognition and protections in states where same-sex marriage is recognized. 

Missouri’s Constitution doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage and with a voter-approved provision in 2004 states, “public policy of this state to recognize marriage only between a man and a woman" and that "any purported marriage not between a man and a woman is invalid."

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Legislators released a number of statements throughout the morning, conveying their thoughts on the decision.

U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin, said in a statement posted on her website Wednesday morning:

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“I believe in the sanctity of traditional marriage and believe that it should be up to states to determine the definition of marriage. The people of Missouri have spoken and over 70 percent of Missourians decided that marriage should be between one man and one woman. I will always support states’ rights and the people of Missouri have made their decision.”

The office of U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, released a statement of opposite view, saying, “I applaud today’s decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down DOMA and invalidating Prop 8 in California. The high court has affirmed that equal protection under the law applies to every American. This is a historic turning point that advances full equality for all.”

U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill shared her views on the issue on her official Facebook page and posted:

“A conservative Supreme Court today recognized what my kids, and an increasing number of Americans, already consider common sense—that the federal government shouldn’t refuse to recognize marriages that individual states have said are lawful. All Americans, gay and straight, should be allowed to fully participate in this most basic of family values, and today, our great country is another step closer to achieving that #equality under the law.”

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt didn't release on official statement at time of publication but did support DOMA prior to the Wednesday's ruling. 

His communications director Amber Marchand released the following statement.

"Senator Blunt supports the Defense of Marriage Act. His position has always been that he believes marriage is a union between one man and one woman, and he supports allowing people to have hospital visitation and other rights as part of a civil contract to help them lead the lives they choose," Communications Director Amber Marchand released in a statement to Ozarks First.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri and the Missouri Baptist Convention also spoke out on the matter as well.

According to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, David Yeats, executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention expressed his disappointment with the ruling.

"But they disappoint us for at least two reasons. First, the branches of our federal government continue to chisel away states’ rights to carry out the will of their people. Second, and more disturbing, they reflect the fact that a growing number of Americans increasingly embrace behaviors that violate natural law and biblical truth."

Gov. Jay Nixon applauded the position, according to another St. Louis Post-Dispatch article.

“None of us wants to live in a society that condones discrimination,” he said. “The decision today was an important step forward for equal protection and due process, two bedrock principles of our democracy.”

The ACLU-EM executive director Jeffrey Mittman said the decision is a cause for celebration.

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling in the ACLU’s Edie Windsor case strikes down discriminatory provisions of the ‘so-called’  Defense of Marriage Act. This landmark decision recognizes that it is discriminatory for our federal government to treat legally married gay couples any differently than it treats legally married heterosexual couples. This is a day of celebration for America and a historic leap forward for all married same-sex couples and their families.

“Marriage makes a difference in our personal lives and our federal government has caught up with the rest of America.”



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