In Defense of Marriage

The Supreme Court of the United States today reaffirmed in two separate opinions that the responsibility for defining civil marriage law rests with the states. Furthermore, once a civil marriage has been recognized by a state, the legal and civil protections that go along with it cannot be stripped away by the federal government or simply because a married person crosses state lines.

These decisions strengthen the institution of civil marriage specifically as well as the principles of federalism and the rule of law more generally. They also make a huge difference in the social, financial, and political lives of millions of people. I'm so happy today, and so proud of my country.