Tom Cotton on Civil Rights

So-called equity policies discriminate on the basis of race

So-called equity policies discriminate on the basis of race

Employing DEI in hiring is courting trouble

Affirmative action is systemic discrimination

Senator Tom Cotton also supported the decision, calling affirmative action discrimination. "Affirmative action is systemic discrimination. I'm thankful the Supreme Court held this discrimination violates the constitution. Admissions should be decided on merit--not by color of skin," Cotton stated.

Rep. Rick Crawford spoke to the fairness of the court's ruling. "Today the Court ruled that the 14th Amendment means what it says: All of us have a right to equal protection under the law. Doling out or denying rights or resources by skin color is abhorrent to the constitution, and is immoral," Crawford said.

Support DOMA and traditional marriage

Opposes same-sex marriage.

Project Vote Smart infers candidate issue stances on key topics by summarizing public speeches and public statements. Congressional candidates are given the opportunity to respond in detail; about 11% did so in the 2012 races.

Project Vote Smart summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: 'Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage?'

Protect anti-same-sex marriage opinions as free speech.

Congressional Summary:Congress finds the following:

1. Leading legal scholars concur that conflicts between same-sex marriage and religious liberty are real and should be legislatively addressed.
2. As the President stated in response to the Defense of Marriage Act in 2013, `Americans hold a wide range of views` on the issue of same-sex marriage, and `maintaining our Nation`s commitment to religious freedom` is `vital`.
3. Protecting religious freedom from Government intrusion is a Government interest of the highest order.
4. Laws that protect the free exercise of religious beliefs about marriage will encourage private citizens and institutions to demonstrate similar tolerance and therefore contribute to a more respectful, diverse, and peaceful society.

Opponent`s argument against bill: (David Brunori on Forbes.com): A bipartisan group of lawmakers thinks it`s appropriate for the American taxpayer to subsidize organizations fighting for `traditional marriage.` The Marriage and Religious Freedom Act would give non-profit organizations that don`t like gay marriage the ability to engage in partisan political activities without the fear of losing their exempt status. The sponsors are touting the bill as a means of protecting freedom of conscience on the issue of marriage. The proposed law will allow non-profit organizations to engage in political activity, as long as it`s for championing heterosexual marriage, while non-profits supporting marriage equality cannot engage in partisan political activity. The tax laws should be neutral when it comes to politics.

Respect faith-based opposition to same-sex marriage.

Congressional Summary: The First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) prohibits the federal government from taking discriminatory action against a person on the basis that such person believes or acts in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction that:

1. marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, or
2. sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage.

Political Argument Opposed: [ACLU, July 20, 2015]: The House of Representatives & leading anti-LGBT organizations are pushing a bill--disingenuously titled the First Amendment Defense Act--that would open the door to unprecedented taxpayer-funded discrimination against LGBT people, single mothers, and unmarried couples. This bill would

• allow federal contractors, including those that provide homeless shelters or drug treatment programs, to turn away LGBT people
• permit a university to fire an unmarried teacher simply for becoming pregnant
• permit federal employees to refuse to process tax returns, visa applications, or Social Security checks for all married same-sex couples