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Christie Calls DOMA Ruling a Bad Decision

Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling today striking down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, Gov. Chris Christie maintained his opposition to same-sex marriage and lambasted the high court.

Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling today striking down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, Gov. Chris Christie maintained his opposition to same-sex marriage and lambasted the high court.

“It’s just another example of judicial supremacy rather than having the government run by the people we actually vote for,” he said of the high court’s 5-4 vote during his monthly radio show on NJ 101.5 FM. “I thought it was a bad decision.”

Christie reminded listeners tonight that DOMA originated with a Republican Congress and Democratic president.

“I thought that Justice (Anthony) Kennedy’s opinion in many respects was incredibly insulting to those people, 340-some members of Congress who voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, and Bill Clinton,” he said. “They basically said the only reason to pass that bill was to demean people.”

Christie’s comments echoed statements issued by fellow Republicans U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and former Sen. Rick Santorum, who both said the Supreme Court overstepped its role.

“At least two presidential hopefuls have come out strongly against it,” said Jennifer Duffy, an expert on governors at the Washington-based Cook Political Report. “So whatever Chris Christie says it’s probably going to make a lot of sense for New Jersey for 2013 and maybe not so much for 2016.”

As he did last year, Christie said he would veto any gay marriage bill that reaches his desk.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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