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Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Brian Babin (TX-36) issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to strike down state marriage laws and require all 50 states to recognize same-sex marriage:

“As a strong supporter of traditional marriage and a firm believer in state sovereignty, I am deeply disappointed that five members of the U.S. Supreme Court have over-ruled tens of millions of Americans – including millions in the State of Texas – who have voted to enact state statutes and state Constitutional amendments to define marriage as between one man and one woman.  Congress should take immediate action to restore each state’s ability to determine their own marriage laws, instead of allowing a federal court to decide such an important issue.  We must also take action to protect individuals and institutions with deeply held religious convictions on marriage to ensure that they do not face discrimination because of their convictions.

"Traditional marriage has been under assault as courts and some state legislatures have sought to both redefine marriage as something other than between one man and one woman and to penalize and discriminate against those who have religious and conscience convictions against the redefinition of marriage.  This Court decision sets the government on a collision course with the religious freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Constitution. As a strong and unwavering advocate for protecting the traditional definition of marriage, I have cosponsored the following legislation and will continue to advocate for bringing this legislation before the Congress for a vote."

Protecting the Rights of those with Religious Convictions Against Coercion by the Government – Original cosponsor of H.R. 2802 to protect churches, Christian schools and colleges, and business-owners from being coerced by the government to act against their religious conviction in regards to acceptance of same-sex marriage.

Defining Marriage in the United States as Only Between One Man and One Woman Cosponsor of H.J. Res 32 the Marriage Protection Constitutional Amendment.

Protecting the Rights of States to Define Traditional Marriage – Cosponsor of H.R. 825 the State Defense of Marriage Act

Stripping Federal Courts of Jurisdiction to Hear Cases Related to Marriage – Original cosponsor of H.R. 1968 Restrain the Judges on Marriage Act of 2015