Agudah statement on Ruling of DOMA as unconstitutional

Agudath Israel of America released the following statment today in response to the Court of Appeals ruling on DOMA.
 Agudath Israel of America is deeply disappointed by the ruling handed down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit that found the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to be unconstitutional. The decision will do much harm to traditional marriage, but its implications will have a much farther reach.

The court held that the moral justification for maintaining the historic definition of marriage was not a sufficient reason for the federal government to legislatively define marriage in the traditional manner. Agudath Israel argued in an amicus brief submitted to the court in this case that moral considerations are, and historically have been, a rational basis – indeed, even a compelling interest – for enacting social legislation.

The court’s rejection of this argument threatens to erase “morality” as a foundation for legislative action – a result with potentially severe and far-reaching societal effects.”

Agudath Israel has been a strong supporter of DOMA since its inception, having – among other things – testified in its support before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in 1996. We will continue to support this vital statute as it likely makes its way up to the United States Supreme Court for final review.