Latest news with #Schriver
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House Dems aim to censure Rep. Schriver over ‘racist statements' made on House floor
State Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) on the House floor on May 1, 2025. | Kyle Davidson Michigan House Democrats on Tuesday came out in support of a resolution put forth by state Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) aiming to censure Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) for 'racist statements' made on the House Floor earlier this month. Schriver, who was stripped of his staff, funds and committee assignment by former House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) last year for promoting the racist Great Replacement Theory on social media, spoke out on a set of policies intended to crack down on sanctuary cities and counties during the chamber's May 1 session. In his testimony, Schriver quoted former Presidential Advisor Patrick Buchanan's book, 'The Death of the West', telling fellow lawmakers 'The chasm in our country is not one of income, ideology or faith, but of ethnicity and loyalty.' 'Illegal aliens undermine our national sovereignty. The largest population transfer in history is coming from all the races in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and they are not acclimating, they are not melting and they are not reforming to the American way of life,' Schriver said. 'This is something that needs to be addressed.' MacDonell told reporters on Tuesday that while it's not surprising to hear Schriver oppose sanctuary cities, his testimony had focused on criticizing people rather than policy. 'Schriver blamed naturalized citizens and their descendants for America's ills…I think any rational person can agree that it's one thing to have strong opinions on immigration policy in Michigan. It's fully another thing to claim that all immigrants, including naturalized citizens, are bad people. Even worse to claim that all people of certain ethnicity that he doesn't like, or a certain national origin that Schriver doesn't like, are bad people,' MacDonell said. House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton), whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from India, called Schriver's comments 'deliberate, disgusting, dangerous and disgraceful.' 'They were an attack on families like mine, and an attack on the very spirit of inclusion and the progress that our state is making. His remarks were rooted in ignorance and prejudice and they do not reflect the values of House Democrats or the values of the Michigan people,' Puri said. 'Rep. Schriver also specifically singled out countries whose people are overwhelmingly Black, brown and non-white, not once mentioning European nations or white immigrants. That's not a coincidence. That's racism, plain and simple. He didn't just invoke racist tropes, he leaned into the dangerous Great Replacement Theory suggesting that immigrants of color are here to erase American identity. That's not policy, that's paranoia rooted in white supremacy,' Puri said. He also raised concerns that members of the Republican Caucus hadn't spoken out against Schriver's remarks, calling on House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) and other Republicans to denounce Schriver's 'hateful rhetoric.' 'When white supremacy echoes in the chambers and you say nothing, you're not neutral, you are complicit,' Puri said. When asked about Schriver's remarks at a press conference earlier on Tuesday, Hall said he hadn't seen Schriver's comments, before noting that Schriver had been reelected by his constituents. Video of House Session shows Hall on the House floor as Schriver requests permission to testify on the bills, though he is not visible on video when Schriver's speech concludes. 'What I really appreciate about representative Shriver is that he's, you see a difference, I think, between him last year and this year and, you know, we gave him his staff back… what I'm doing is I've got him as a member of our caucus, and you know what I've tried to do is put him in positions to succeed, and he's on some of these oversight subcommittees. I think he's doing a very good job there. And you see him really voting with our caucus on a lot of issues,' Hall said. 'I appreciate how he's working with our members as a team, and even though we might have differences at times in how we talk and how we communicate, and I've expressed some of those in the past where him and I disagreed,' Hall said, with the Speaker previously stating that Schriver's resolution calling on the United States Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell V. Hodges, which requires all states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, would not move forward. When asked if Schriver's far-right views were shaping legislation coming from the House Republican Caucus, Hall pointed to Schriver's vote in support of bipartisan policies like legislation to create a Public Safety Trust Fund to support local law enforcement and community violence intervention initiatives. Schriver's office did not respond to a request for comment on the proposed resolution. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gay marriage isn't safe in Michigan: There's 1 thing we need to do to protect it.
State Rep. Josh Schriver, R-Oxford, has introduced a resolution asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 case that found state bans against same-sex marriage unconstitutional. At a press conference Tuesday, Schriver declared that Obergefell 'defaced the definition of marriage, undermined our God-given rights, increased persecution of Christians and confused the American family structure.' Schriver's resolution has six co-sponsors. First and foremost, this resolution is non-binding, and carries no legal weight. Even if the House passes it, it will not actually do anything to overturn Obergefell. It's more a statement of the values of Schriver and his co-sponsors than anything else. But that part is key ― it is incredibly alarming that, 10 years after the marriage equality ruling, elected Michigan Republicans are revving up their base to attack it. This could lead to a political movement to bring a case to overturn it before a now-more-conservative Supreme Court ― the same court that overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling in 2022. And it underscores that we have to prepare for the worst. We need a ballot initiative to protect the right to marriage equality in Michigan. More from Freep Opinion: Michigan lawmaker Josh Schriver thinks Abe Lincoln wrote the Constitution So what is the current status of marriage equality in Michigan, and what would happen if Obergefell, like Roe, falls? Back in 2004, Michigan voters approved language in our Constitution that states: 'The union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose.' Not just a marriage ban, but even a ban on any civil union. Michigan's marriage ban was challenged in federal court in a lawsuit brought by Attorney General Dana Nessel, then an attorney in private practice representing the plaintiffs in DeBoer v. Snyder. That case was among cases from four states brought before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 collectively as Obergefell, and Michigan's marriage ban was included in the Obergefell decision that ruled these and all such bans unconstitutional. Marriage equality prevailed in Michigan due to Obergefell, and only to Obergefell. More from Freep Opinion: Dana Nessel: I'm suing Trump because of a promise I made to Michigan voters In 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act, requiring the federal government and U.S. states to recognize the validity of all same-sex marriages. As of today, all same-sex marriages in Michigan are protected in federal law. But, if Obergefell were overturned, Michigan would snap back to the language in our state Constitution banning same-sex unions. The Respect for Marriage Act requires Michigan to recognize existing marriages and those from other states, but no new marriage licenses could be issued in Michigan. What can we do? The only way to strike the marriage ban language from our constitution is to repeal it with a majority vote from the public. There are two ways to bring a vote to the public to repeal the marriage ban language in our constitution: Sufficient signatures petitions are collected to place it on the ballot Two-thirds of each legislative chamber votes to place it on the ballot. The Legislature has never had two-thirds support to place this on the ballot. (We've tried.) In 2024, Democrats lost control of the state House, meaning this has become even more unlikely. We need a public-led ballot proposal to repeal the 2004 Michigan Marriage Amendment and protect marriage equality. Before it's too late. Jeremy Moss, a Southfield Democrat, represents Michigan's 7th District in the state Senate. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan GOP revving up Michigan marriage equality attacks | Opinion
CBS News
27-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Michigan Rep. Josh Schriver to introduce resolution calling on U.S. Supreme Court to overturn same-sex marriage
Michigan state Rep. Josh Schriver, R-Oxford, introduced a resolution urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which protects same-sex marriages. In a post on X Monday afternoon, Schriver says he will unveil the resolution on Tuesday following the House session. It has been nearly 10 years since the high court handed down a 5-4 ruling on June 26, 2015, declaring the 14th Amendment requires all states to perform same-sex marriages and recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. According to a news release from Schriver's office, the resolution has 12 co-sponsors, and similar resolutions have been introduced in other states, including Idaho, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. "The new resolution urges the preservation of the sanctity of marriage and constitutional protections that ensure freedom of conscience for all Michigan residents," read the release. Schriver is no stranger to speaking out against same-sex marriage. In December 2024, he posted on social media, saying "Make gay marriage illegal again." In a second post, the GOP lawmaker said, "America only 'accepted' gay marriage after it was thrusted into her by a perverted Supreme Court ruling. America 2124 doesn't have to be as dysfunctional as America 2024." His post received criticism from state officials, including Democratic Rep. Jason Morgan and Attorney General Dana Nessel, who are both in a same-sex marriage. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also pushed back on Schriver's comment, saying "Any attempt to strip away gay marriage is wrong." Obergefell v. Hodges was discussed again after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022. Justice Clarence Thomas suggested that the decision to overturn the federal abortion rights law could trigger similar outcomes for other landmark cases. "In the future, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence and Obergefell," Thomas wrote at the time. Some people in the LGBTQ community spoke with CBS News after the 2024 presidential election, expressing concerns about losing discrimination protections under President Trump's second term and wondering if the 2015 ruling would return to the states. Mr. Trump's stance on same-sex marriage has varied over the years. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, before he entered politics, he expressed support for domestic partnership laws that granted couples the same benefits of married couples — a position that the GOP widely opposed at the time — and often showed personal tolerance for LGBTQ issues more broadly. Years later, Mr. Trump said in 2011, amid speculation about a possible presidential bid, that he was "opposed to gay marriage." In 2015, he said he supports "traditional marriage." During his 2016 campaign, he said that he would " strongly consider" appointing Supreme Court justices who would overturn the 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriages. Then, days after he was elected, he said he was "fine" with same-sex marriage and suggested he wouldn't appoint justices to the high court with the goal of overturning the ruling.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
As a Michigan Republican made his case to ban same-sex marriage, a gay Democrat stole the show
Michigan state Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) (right) speaks at a news conference introducing a resolution condemning same-sex marriage in front of Michigan's first openly gay state Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) (left) in Lansing on Feb. 25, 2025 | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols As one Republican lawmaker in Michigan hashed out his proposal to condemn same-sex marriage during a news conference Tuesday, Michigan's first openly gay state senator stared him down – and then took the mic. Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) had announced the day before on X that he planned to introduce a resolution urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage, alongside 12 GOP cosponsors. But by Tuesday afternoon, Schriver said that number had dwindled to six backers, and Michigan's Speaker of the House – a fellow Republican – said the resolution would not be making it out of committee, legislative speak for 'dead on arrival.' When Schriver refused to take questions at his own news conference detailing the resolution in Lansing, Jeremy Moss – Michigan's first openly gay state senator – stepped up to speak to journalists instead. The resolution is 'buffoonish' and clearly falls flat with the people of Michigan who support the Obergefell v. Hodges decision that ensured the constitutional right of same-sex couples to marry. 'I think that people respect their LGBTQ neighbors, their LGBTQ family members. These marriages have been the law of the land for 10 years,' said Moss (D-Southfield), who was elected to Michigan's state legislature in 2014. 'This is just another hateful and harmful attack against the LGBTQ community and I don't think people in Michigan are going to stand for it.' But Schriver was adamant at the start of his news conference that there is support in Michigan for his resolution, adding without evidence that same-sex marriage has hurt Michigan's family structures. 'The American legal tradition based on natural law, the will of the people and constitutional originalism upholds marriage as a union between a man and a woman,' Schriver said. 'Any deviation from this definition undermines the legal and moral foundation of this republic.' The fortitude of Obergefell has been called into question in the past, notably with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas arguing in a concurring opinion in 2022 as the constitutional right to an abortion was overturned that the nation's highest court should also review other historical rulings, including the right to same-sex marriages. House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said at his own news conference Tuesday that Schriver's resolution would not be leaving the committee to come to the floor for a vote, and that the issue of same-sex marriage is not one that unites the House Republican Caucus. 'I would say a lot of Republicans disagree with Rep. Schriver on the issue, and so what we're trying to do is focus on issues that unify our caucus and bring people together, and those are the issues that we're moving forward and putting on our agenda,' Hall said. Those issues include improving the state's educational system and repairing Michigan's roads without raising taxes. Michiganders care about having a safe place to live and access to affordable groceries and health care, not overturning marriage equality Rep. Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park) said during a news conference earlier in the day Tuesday. Joined by the bulk of the Michigan House Democratic Caucus, McFall said Democrats stand ready to address these real issues for Michigan residents, supporting working families and successful communities to build up the state. McFall and State Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), both gay men who are married, hosted the news conference which railed against Schriver's resolution and any future efforts made to repeal rights for LGBTQ Michiganders. Morgan said it doesn't matter that Schriver's resolution, which would not have the power to change law if passed, is on a road to nowhere. It marks a 'ridiculous distraction' from the actual issues Michiganders face and takes away time and effort from helping Michigan families. 'Hate plays the long game, so we have to as well. This may be a resolution today, but it's a long term effort to try and overturn our rights,' Morgan said. 'So whether those rights are overturned today or tomorrow, we are not going to stop fighting to protect these rights and to protect the people behind them.'
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Whitmer to Michigan lawmaker trying to overturn same-sex marriage: 'Hell, no!'
A state representative on Tuesday introduced a resolution urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its 2015 decision making same-sex marriage legal in all fifty states. In a brief press conference after the House session, Rep. Josh Schriver, R-Oxford, said the high court's decision in Obergefell vs. Hodges, 'defaced the definition of marriage, undermined our God-given rights, increased persecution of Christians and confused the American family structure.' He also said that children raised by same-sex couples face more challenges in education, employment and self-sufficiency, though he did not provide any evidence to back up his claims. He ended his press conference by calling on conservatives to 'do the right thing,' reassert the 'sovereignty of Christ as our King,' and 'restore the order of the family.' He did not take questions from the media. Initially, Schriver's office said his resolution had 12 co-sponsors but when presented during the state house of representatives' session, Schriver's name was accompanied by only six others, all conservative state legislators. The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Government Operations, which is where proposals typically go to die. Even if it wasn't nearly assured death in committee, Schriver's resolution would carry no legal weight. It is not actionable. The U.S. Supreme Court does not revisit cases based on resolutions from state legislators. But, Schriver's move comes at a time when members of the LGBTQ+ community are nervous because their rights are under siege. President Donald Trump issued an executive order threatening to withhold federal funding from hospitals that provide transgender people under age 19 with gender-affirming medical treatment. Two federal judges have paused Trump's action as the executive order is being challenged in federal court. In another executive order, Trump declared the policy of the United States is to recognize two genders, male and female, and that those were assigned at birth. In addition, Idaho's State House of Representatives voted to support a resolution similar to Schriver's. Meanwhile, Schriver's action drew outrage from Democrats, civil rights and advocacy organizations. "In Michigan, everyone has the freedom to marry who they love," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a brief video broadcast over Facebook. "It's not only the law of the land, it's a non-negotiable. Right now, however, some extreme members of the Michigan Legislature are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn marriage equality. Here's my response to that: Hell, no." Jay Kaplan of the ACLU Michigan called Schriver's move 'largely a cruel, symbolic gesture. It has no legal effect. 'With all the issues impacting Michiganders, with issues regarding the economy ... why is he introducing this resolution? It's merely a distraction. The court made clear 10 years ago the right to get married is a fundamental right and to deny that to same-sex couples … is unconstitutional.' Of Schriver, Kaplan added: 'If he's against same-sex marriage, he doesn't have to have one.' State Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, who attended Schriver's briefing, took questions after the representative left the room. 'This was just as buffoonish as I expected it to be,' Moss said. '… I think people respect their LGBTQ neighbors, their LBGTQ family members … They contribute to family security, to economic security for people here in the state of Michigan.' Schriver is no stranger to controversy. Last year, he lost his staff and committee assignment when he touted a racist conspiracy theory on X, formerly Twitter. The widely discredited theory, known as the great replacement theory, posits that there is a top secret operation underway to replace white people in majority-white countries. Free Press Reporter Clara Hendrickson contributed to this report. Contact Georgea Kovanis: gkovanis@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan lawmaker wants Supreme Court to overturn gay marriage
