Reps Woodall, Johnson Statements on Same-Sex Marriage Decision

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Georgia politicians who represent Gwinnett County have issued statements regarding Friday’s 5-4 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.

Here are some reactions to the decision in Obergefell v. Hodges from your leaders:

Congressman Hank Johnson (D), who represents the 4th District, which includes parts of southern Gwinnett County, issued this statement:

“Today’s historic Supreme Court ruling means all Americans – regardless of their gender or gender identity – have the right to marry the person they love. It also reaffirms equal protection under the law in accordance with the Fourteenth Amendment. We are all more free when all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love.”

• Also on Patch: Marriage a Right for Same-Sex Couples in U.S. Supreme Court Decision

Congressman Rob Woodall (R ), who represents the 7th District, which includes most of Gwinnett and Forsyth counties, released this statement:

“Justice Roberts in his dissent said it well. ‘This Court is not a legislature…Under the Constitution, judges have power to say what the law is, not what it should be… The fun­damental right to marry does not include a right to make a State change its definition of marriage.’ That issue is at the core of this debate and can’t be overstated. The narrowest of margins in this decision has overridden the voice of millions of Americans in sovereign states across the country. In his dissent, Justice Roberts went on to say, ‘Today...the Court takes the extraordinary step of ordering every State to license and recognize same-sex marriage. Many people will rejoice at this decision…. But for those who believe in a government of laws, not of men, the majority’s ap­proach is deeply disheartening. Supporters of same-sex marriage have achieved considerable success persuading their fellow citizens—through the democratic process—to adopt their view. That ends today. Five lawyers have closed the debate and enacted their own vision of marriage as a matter of constitutional law.’”

Other statements of note:

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal

“While I believe that this issue should be decided by the states and by legislatures, not the federal judiciary, I also believe in the rule of law. The state of Georgia is subject to the laws of the United States, and we will follow them.”

Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens

“Today the Supreme Court of the United States ruled the Constitution requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out of state. It does not permit bans on same-sex marriage.

“In our system of government, the Supreme Court bears the ultimate responsibility for determining the constitutionality of our laws. Once the Supreme Court has ruled, its Order is the law of the land. As such, Georgia will follow the law and adhere to the ruling of the Court.”

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