Speaker Christopher Rants' Statement on Gay Marriage Ruling

House Republican Leader Christopher Rants issued the following statement upon learning that a Polk County judge began issuing marriage certificates for homosexuals:

"Judge Hanson's shocking action today has reversed the will of the people of Iowa, the will of the Legislature," said Rants. "Democrats, in trying to appease special interest groups, allowed this to happen with their opposition to a marriage amendment. If Gov. Culver and Legislative Democrats proceed with a special session regarding the date of the Iowa caucus, Democrats need to step up and put this issue to rest by introducing a marriage amendment to Iowa's Constitution."

Rants added that House Republicans would support a Constitutional amendment which would ban gay marriage in the state of Iowa. "The over-stepping and stunning action taken by this court today proves that work on a Constitutional marriage amendment must begin immediately."