The Texas state legislature is working overtime trying to prevent marriage equality from coming to Texas, a possibility that they clearly believe is approaching certainty. The latest response is a bill introduced in the state House that states that marriage is between one man and one woman whether or not the US Congress or the SCOTUS stipulate otherwise.
They might have a leg to stand on with regard to the US Congress since marriage is generally a state matter. However, it's amusing that a Texas state legislator thinks that this law would over-ride a nationwide SCOTUS ruling in favor of marriage equality.
From Gavel Grab:
How many ways can legislators craft to punish judges for handling cases involving marriage for same-sex couples — or defy a Supreme Court ruling, if it occurs, that strikes down bans on these marriages?
In Texas, a recently filed bill would amend existing state law declaring that a marriage exists solely between one man and one woman by adding: “regardless of whether a federal court ruling or other federal law provides that a prohibition against the creation or recognition of a same-sex marriage or a civil union is not permitted under the United States Constitution.”
From
The New Civil Rights Movement:
Molly White has only been a Texas State Representative since January 15, but already she's making headlines frequently. Take her actions just two weeks after being sworn in.
On Texas Muslim Capitol Day, about 100 Muslims gathered outside the Texas Capitol learn more about democracy and to "to be an advocate for important issues."
Rep. White instructed her staff to "ask representatives from the Muslim community to renounce Islamic terrorist groups and publicly announce allegiance to America and our laws."
Now, Rep. White has filed a bill that she believes would effectively nullify any U.S. Supreme Court ruling that would find a right for same-sex couples to marry.
White has also filed a bill that would allow business owners to refuse service on religious grounds.
In the meantime, the Alabama State Supreme Court has just issued another ruling adding Mobile Probate Judge Don Davis to its previous order prohibiting probate judges from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. This sets up an interesting scenario since Judge Davis is a named party to Judge Granade's federal marriage equality case. And, she has a motion from the plaintiffs to make that case a class-action suit (which would make ALL the probate judges parties to the case). She has not ruled on that motion yet. It's about to get interesting, I think.