McConnell: Congress can't roll back gay marriage decision

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellMitch McConnellSanders to Democrats: Rule out lame-duck vote on trade deal The Hill's 12:30 Report McConnell: GOP chances of keeping Senate control 'dicey' MORE (R-Ky) said there's little lawmakers can do to overturn a Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex marriages in every state, suggesting any further action will rest largely with the courts. 

 

"I don't think so. I think the courts have pretty well spoken. We'll be taking a look at whether or not religious liberty needs to be enhanced by statue," the Republican leader told WDRB, a local Kentucky TV station, on Tuesday evening, when asked if there was anything Congress could do to reverse the court's decision.

 

McConnell added, "What I worry about at this point is the potential problems with regard to religious liberty. … There's a possibility of legislation, but I think most of this is going to be in the courts."

 

His comments come in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. 

 

McConnell's Republican colleagues quickly vowed to try to protect religious freedom in light of last week's decision. 

 

Sen. Mike LeeMike LeeCruz, Lee question legality of Iran payment Why red-state Utah is turning blue Dems look to Utah as they try to expand the map MORE (R-Utah) vowed to get his legislation, the First Amendment Defense Act, passed. The Utah Republican said the bill would "prevent the federal government from discriminating against anyone who believes that marriage is a union between one man and one woman."  

 

Sen. Ted CruzTed CruzFiorina compares the Clintons to 'House of Cards' power couple Cruz, Lee question legality of Iran payment Trump's loss could make the GOP extinct MORE (R-Texas), who is running for president, also previously called for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

 

But McConnell shot down his effort, saying it wouldn't make it through Congress.

 

"It isn't going to pass. It's one thing to talk about a constitutional amendment," he said. "We've only done that 27 times in the history of our country. It's not going to pass." 

 

McConnell and Cruz were part of a group of six senators who signed on to an amicus brief calling on the court to protect state bans on same-sex marriage. 

 

"I've always felt that marriage was between one man and one woman," he said Tuesday night. "The Supreme Court has held otherwise, that's the law of the land."