Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) voiced his strong disappointment with the Supreme Court of California’s decision to uphold the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the voter ballot initiative which struck down the state’s previous legalization of same-sex marriage. Nadler released the following statement:


“It’s disheartening to see a core constitutional principle set aside by simple majority vote, particularly in our nation’s most populous state. The noble concept of ‘equal protection’ of the law, which is the bedrock of our democracy and guarantees that the majority will agree to abide by the same rules it imposes on a minority, requires more.

“All couples which opt to take on the legal responsibilities and commitment of marriage should have the security that their relationships will be respected by the state that married them and by the federal government.

“Our civil laws make marriage the gateway to fundamental legal responsibilities and benefits, and families should not face the risk that their marriages will be called into question at the ballot box or when they cross state lines. That is why I support marriage equality in New York and am spearheading efforts to ensure that the obligations and benefits of our federal laws are secure for couples who lawfully marry in any state.

“I, however, applaud the California Supreme Court for wisely recognizing the legality and legitimacy of the 18,000 same-sex marriages carried out in California before that right was so unjustly taken away.”