Louisiana House Bill HCR85

Louisiana 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/27/15
• Engrossed: 4/27/15
• Refer: 4/28/15
• Refer: 4/29/15

Caption

Requests that the United States Supreme Court Justices Ginsburg and Kagan recuse themselves in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges

Impact

The bill stems from the view that Justices Ginsburg and Kagan's involvement in same-sex marriages and their public comments suggest a predisposition to rule in favor of same-sex marriage rights. This resolution reflects the concerns of Louisiana legislators about the perceived impartiality of Justices in deciding a case that could alter the legal landscape of marriage not only in Louisiana but across the United States. If passed, it would not have a direct legal implication on state laws but serves to alert the Supreme Court about the expectations of judicial conduct by state legislators.

Summary

HCR85, a concurrent resolution proposed by Louisiana legislators, urges the United States Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan to recuse themselves from the case Obergefell v. Hodges. This resolution addresses the significant implications of the case, which questions the constitutionality of state laws denying the legality of same-sex marriage. The Justices are believed by proponents of the resolution to have displayed bias through their public conduct, potentially jeopardizing the integrity of the judiciary in this landmark case.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HCR85 is deeply divided along ideological lines. Supporters, primarily from the Republican party, view the resolution as a necessary step in maintaining judicial integrity, emphasizing the importance of impartiality in high-stakes legal decisions. Conversely, opponents argue that the measure is a politically motivated action that undermines judicial independence and reflects an intolerance towards advancing marriage equality. This sentiment reveals the underlying tensions in contemporary debates over same-sex marriage rights and judicial ethics.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding HCR85, primarily centered on the eligibility of justices to preside over cases where they have previous involvement or public opinions. Advocates for the resolution reference historical precedents of judicial recusal to illustrate their stance. However, critics caution that demanding recusal based on perceived biases could set a troubling precedent that might undermine judicial authority and independence, particularly in cases that have drawn considerable public and political interest.