WASHINGTON DC - Leaders of the 2012 Republican National Convention Committee on the Platform and the Republican Conservative Steering Committee that filed an amicus brief last week with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging the Court to consider the societal benefits of traditional marriage as it considers whether to uphold Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, and Kentucky laws protecting such marriage.
Illinois' GOP National Committeewoman Demetra DeMonte joined the effort as a founding member of the Republican Conservative Steering Committee (CSC). Currently, over half the RNC members are on the CSC.
The Brief argues that the states have an important interest in protecting and promoting traditional marriage and family as the foundation of a free society.
“The Republican Party has sought to protect and promote traditional marriage and family as the foundation of a free society, since the success of traditional families minimizes the need for government programs and intervention and because traditional families form a bulwark against the growth of government and its excesses," explained attorney James Bopp, Jr., and amicus and lead counsel for all amici. "As a result, many states have protected and promoted traditional marriage in pursuit of this important government interest, often with bipartisan support, and their laws that do so are thereby constitutional."
The friends-of-the-Court are members of the leadership of the 2012 Republican National Convention Committee on the Platform: Co-Chairman of the Committee Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Co-Chairmen of the Subcommittees with jurisdiction over marriage and family James Bopp, Jr. (Subcommittee on We the People: A Restoration of Constitutional Government) and Carolyn McLarty (Subcommittee on Renewing American Values to Build Healthy Families, Great Schools and Safe Neighborhoods).
In addition, the Conservative Steering Committee, an independent organization comprising the majority of the current members of the Republican National Committee, is also an amicus. The Steering Committee voted to approve submission of the Brief.
The Brief explains that, since its inception, the Republican Party has been the champion of equality, individual freedom and limited government and, as a result, of the family.
“The Republican Party has always stood for equality, individual freedom, and limited government, and traditional marriage and family helps ensure that,” says attorney and amicus Bopp.
“The Party’s motivation for its pro-family policies has never been about ill will towards any American and, historically, has had nothing whatsoever to do with same-sex marriage. It is quite the opposite: every American deserves the opportunity at the very best chance of success in this country, without government dependency or intrusion, and traditional marriage helps accomplish that.” Mr. Bopp continues, “State governments have a compelling reason to protect traditional marriage and family as the foundation of a free society.”
Amicus Carolyn McLarty stated. “I am honored to be an amicus or 'friend-of-the court' on this Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court. This Brief has presented a fresh argument for keeping, promoting, and protecting traditional marriage as a necessity for a free society.”
Monday, the Republican Conservative Steering Committee launched a petition on their website so the grassroots supporters of traditional marriage can sign in support of the Amicus Brief.
The case is Obergefell, et al. v. Hodges, et al.
Carolyn McLarty, DVM is a retired veterinarian from Woodward, Oklahoma. She is currently the Republican National Committeewoman for Oklahoma and the Chairman of the Republican Conservative Steering Committee.
The Petition for Republican Voters to sign in support of the Brief may be viewed at www.RepublicanCSC.com. A copy of the Amicus Brief is available at this website.
