
“Even though the Supreme Court made clear in United States v. Windsor that the federal government should defer to state ‘choices about who may be married,’ the Obama administration has disregarded state marriage laws enacted by democratically-elected legislatures to uphold traditional marriage,” said Cruz, in a statement.
“I support traditional marriage and we should reject attempts by the Obama Administration to force same-sex marriage on all 50 states,” he said.
The Human Rights Campaign condemned the legislation as a reckless and irresponsible attack on same-sex couples and their families.
Article continues below
Agencies across the federal government have since taken steps to recognize married same-sex couples for most federal purposes, even if they currently live in a state that does not itself respect their marriages.
The bill would strip federal rights and benefits from married same-sex couples – like federal employee health benefits, military spouse benefits, immigration rights, and many others – if they reside in a state where same-sex marriage is not yet legal.
A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas).
Article continues below
“But what really stands out is the fact that they would use this reckless and irresponsible legislation to take important federal benefits away from their own Texas constituents,” said Winterhof. “This just solidified their standing as two of the most extreme opponents of equality in America.”
The measure comes just months before the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide whether same-sex couples have a constitutionally-protected right to marry; the court will hear cases in April from four states where marriage bans were upheld, and a decision could come by June.