Respect for Marriage Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to what I believe is the inappropriately named Respect for Marriage Act because if what my colleagues have just said were actually all that was here, it would be a different story to some degree. But that is not what we are talking about.

The bill betrays our country's commitment to the fundamental right of religious liberty by depriving religious and faith-based organizations of their tax-exempt status and depriving individual people of faith of being able to carry out fully their faith without repercussions. Licenses and government contracts are also put at risk here with this legislation.

As a result, religiously affiliated and faith-based organizations will be at risk of being compelled to make hiring decisions in contradiction to their tenets. And I am not just talking about Christian religions. We are talking about all that are impacted by this.

It puts us at risk for Catholic Charities' ability to find foster and adoptive homes for children in need; or a gospel rescue mission's ability to serve the homeless; and it would likely be the end of the school choice initiatives that rely on religious schools--schools of faith--to serve at-risk children trapped in failing schools. Additionally, businessowners across the country who conduct their businesses based on their sincerely held faith, beliefs, and principles would be subject to lawsuits simply because they have a traditional view of marriage.

Again, if all that my colleagues have just even recently said were the only thing about this legislation, it would be another story; but it isn't, it goes way beyond. A deep appreciation for and commitment to following science in the positive endeavor of continuing the human race is important.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for opposition to this legislation and a more thoughtful approach.

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