36 Republicans vote against law banning child marriages. Some cited the Bible as justification.
Thirty-six Republican House legislators in Oklahoma recently voted against S.B. 504, a ban on child marriage, with some citing the Bible or “family values” as their justifications.
The measure passed the state House in a 51-36 vote (after passing unanimously in the state Senate) and became law on May 13, without Republican Gov. Kevin S t’s signature — though his office didn’t explain his refusal to sign it. The law establishes 18 as the earliest age at which one can marry in the state.
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Fellow state Rep. Justin Humphrey (R) said, “This bill has nothing to do with pedophilia. Do you know what socialism looks like? It’s when the government comes in and tells you what you’re going to do,” he added, incorrectly defining socialism as any system in which the government enforces its laws.
He argued that the government should not interfere with parents’ rights to make decisions for their children. He also claimed to know people who were married as minors who “remained married until they’re dead.”
“I think they’re really stretching,” said state Rep. Cyndi Munson (D). “Marriage should wait until adulthood, and we don’t want to exploit children — especially young girls.”
State Rep. Andy Fugate (D) introduced the bill to end “pedophilia by marriage,” stating, “It is effectively eliminating a major loophole we have in law that allows adults to have sex with minors. That’s wrong. It’s disgusting. It’s de able. It needs to end…. Those who have fears about groomers and pedophilia ought to back this bill 100%.”
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