Westerman Statement on Respect For Marriage Act

WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) reacted to the passage of The Respect for Marriage Act by the U.S. House of Representatives. 

“The institution of marriage between one man and one woman predates any government, and the true meaning of marriage exists outside of government regulation," said Westerman. "The ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ not only overreaches into that institution, but it directly threatens Americans’ constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of religion by opening individuals to litigation in retaliation for their deeply held beliefs and revoking or changing faith-based organizations’ tax-exempt status for their stance on same-sex marriage. Our constitution leaves no room for negotiation when it states Congress may make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. This bill is a clear example of government overreach and presents real dangers to Americans’ First Amendment rights, and for that reason, I cannot support it.”