Gov. Scott Walker
Governor Scott Walker says the U.S. Supreme Court made a “grave mistake” with a decision to legalize gay marriage in all 50 states.
Walker, who is currently considering a presidential run, released a statement shortly after Friday morning’s 5-4 decision by the nation’s high court. The Republican governor said “five unelected judges have taken it upon themselves to redefine the institution of marriage, an institution that the author of this decision acknowledges ‘has been with us for millennia.’”
Walker noted that he backed Wisconsin’s gay marriage ban, which was adopted by voters in 2006 and was struck down by a federal judge last year. He also restated his position that “the states are the proper place for these decisions to be made.” Walker expressed support a federal amendment to define marriage. He said “the only alternative left for the American people is to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to reaffirm the ability of the states to continue to define marriage.”
The governor also called for action to make sure the rights of those who oppose gay marriage are still protected. “I call on the president and all governors to join me in reassuring millions of Americans that the government will not force them to participate in activities that violate their deeply held religious beliefs. No one wants to live in a country where the government coerces people to act in opposition to their conscience.”