Date: Tue, 21 May 1996 17:16:54 -0800 From: Doug.Case@sdsu.edu (Doug Case) Subject: White House Statements on Supreme Court Decision; Marriage Bill The White House Briefing Room May 20, 1996 PRESS BRIEFING BY MIKE MCCURRY THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary PRESS BRIEFING BY MIKE MCCURRY The Briefing Room Q The U.S. Supreme Court this morning ruled that in the Colorado -- case that you can't single out one group of people, gays, and remove them from equal protection under the law. I'm wondering if that decision might change where Clinton stands now and his willingness to sign the defense of marriage act. MR. MCCURRY: The President believes the day's decision was appropriate. The Colorado law denied a group of citizens the right to participate effectively in the political process in Colorado, and the President believes that's bad public policy. It's also inconsistent with our common values and principles that make our nation strong, and it does not change his view on that other particular piece of legislation. Q What is, exactly, his view of that piece of legislation which you've never -- MR. MCCURRY: We haven't changed our current posture. We are analyzing that legislation. Q But he doesn't have -- MR. MCCURRY: And it hasn't passed yet. Q -- a view on it yet? MR. MCCURRY: We have not expressed a view on that legislation. Q Can I follow up on that? MR. MCCURRY: Yes. Q Can we stay on that subject for a second? How does that square with the President's opposition then to same-sex marriage? MR. MCCURRY: That's a different issue. That's an issue that goes to the President's personal beliefs about marriage and what marriage should be as an institution in our family life. This is a very particular opinion by the Court which our legal counsel is still looking at that addresses the rights of individual groups of Americans to have redress in our political system. Q Well, I understand that, but this group of Americans has decided that they have the right to have a same-sex marriage. I mean, I don't understand how then the President -- MR. MCCURRY: The issue before the Court in the decision today was what rights they have in Colorado to have access to the legislative process, and that was what the Court looked at and examined and ruled on, as you can see from the majority opinion. . . . Q When and if Senator Dole keeps talking about liberal decisions by Clinton-appointed judges, will you, in light of today's Supreme Court pro-gay rights decision, point to that as an example of Republican-appointed conservative judges making liberal decisions? MR. MCCURRY: No. Probably not -- I should say, probably not. . . . Q On same-sex marriage, when do you expect to have a position on the legislation? It doesn't seem to be a particularly complex kind of issue. MR. MCCURRY: When one is developed and when one is looked at. It's also not clear what the prognosis for the legislation is and what form it will take as it's being considered on the Hill.