Idaho lawmakers unhappy with the legalization of gay marriage in the state are calling on Congress to do something about “activist judges.”
The resolution would ask Congress to impeach judges who don’t uphold the “original intent” of the Constitution. Bill sponsor Rep. Paul Shepherd said states need to act before the Supreme Court makes an irrevocable decision on same-sex marriage.
“Marriage is too important to the future of our society to just roll over and let this go,” he said.
Fellow Republican Linden Bateman warned court approval of gay marriage threatens states’ rights.
“It’s putting power into the hands of a tiny group of people in Washington: the Supreme Court,” he said.
But Democrat John McCrostie talked about his marriage to his husband and said the resolution against activist judges would put Idaho on the wrong side of history.
“Just because someone has a different point of view doesn’t make them an activist,” McCrostie said.
Rep. Melissa Wintrow, also a Democrat, argued the resolution would further divide the state.
“It feels embarrassing to me,” she said.
The resolution passed the committee on a party line vote and heads to the House floor.
Copyright 2015 Northwest News Network
