Protect Marriage from Overarching Judiciary

ALEXANDRIA, VA— Acting on a unanimous vote by its board of directors, the American Conservative Union, the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots conservative lobbying organization, today announced its endorsement of the Marriage Protection Act. Sponsored by Representative John Hostettler (R-IN), the bill (HR 1100) removes challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act from the purview of the judiciary.

“Redefining the sacred, venerable institution of marriage is offensive enough,” said J. William Lauderback, ACU’s executive vice president. “But to do so by judicial fiat—in clear defiance of societal norms—would be disastrous. The Marriage Protection Act ensures that a radical agenda is not thrust upon the American people, but that such profound change arises from a democratic process—from the ballot box rather than an unelected judiciary.”

Those who assert that the bill is unconstitutional would be well advised to consult the Constitution, whose Article 3, Section 2 empowers Congress to limit the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Indeed, few complained, and no court interceded, when former Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D) used this authority several years ago to strip the federal courts of jurisdiction regarding forest-clearing lawsuits in his home state of South Dakota.

“ACU applauds Representative Hostettler and his 76 co-sponsors for bringing this legislation forward,” Lauderback continued. “We urge the House Committee on the Judiciary to pass the bill and bring it to the floor as soon as possible following the August recess.”