- The Washington Times - Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Sen. Ted Cruz didn’t pull any punches when he reacted to the Supreme Court’s decision to turn away from taking any cases that could clarify the Constitution’s rules regarding same-sex marriage and states’ rights, saying blunting the justices abdicated their duties to the American people.

“By refusing to rule if the states can define marriage, the Supreme Court is abdicating its duty to uphold the Constitution,” the Texas Republican said in a statement reported by The Hill. “The fact that the Supreme Court justices, without providing any explanation whatsoever, have permitted lower courts to strike down so many state marriage laws is astonishing.”

He also said the justices’ decision was “tragic and indefensible,” The Hill reported.

The Supreme Court’s decision against hearing any cases effectively brought an end to same-sex marriage challenges in five states — Indiana, Utah, Virginia, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, The Hill said. The lower court rulings in those states will likely stand — which means gay marriage will be allowed to take root as law in the states, despite what voters might indicate as their will.

“This is judicial activism at its worst,” Mr. Cruz said in his statement. “Unelected judges should not be imposing their policy preferences to subvert the considered judgments of democratically elected legislatures.”

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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