Chad’s Morning Brief: Greg Abbott Talks Vaccines, Ted Cruz Files a Bill Aimed at Gay Marriage, and Other Top Stories

Here is your Morning Brief for February 13, 2015.

Abbott on Vaccines

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has weighed in on the issue of vaccinations. According to the Houston Chronicle, Abbott made it clear that he is just fine with the current law in Texas. He supports children getting their vaccinations, but believes that some exemptions should be allowed.

Abbott recognizes the public health benefits of vaccines and encourages all parents to have their children vaccinated, as he and the First Lady did with their daughter," spokeswoman Amelia Chasse said, but the governor "supports current Texas law that he believes strikes the right balance of requiring vaccinations while still allowing parents to opt out under certain circumstances."

That law gives parents the right to opt out if they have religious or personal objections to vaccines, or if they can cite valid medical reasons.

The governor's position pits him opposite a high-profile suggestion that Texas eliminate the religious and personal exemptions in response to several recent outbreaks of measles.

I agree with with the Governor here. I think all kids should be vaccinated, but parents should be able to be parents. What do you think?

Cruz and Gay Marriage 

Senator Ted Cruz is not ready to give up in the fight against gay marriage. According to CNN, Cruz this week filed a bill that would protect states' rights when it comes to gay marriage.

"Even though the Supreme Court made clear in United States v. Windsor that the federal government should defer to state 'choices about who may be married,' the Obama administration has disregarded state marriage laws enacted by democratically-elected legislatures to uphold traditional marriage," Cruz said in a statement announcing the bill.

"I support traditional marriage and we should reject attempts by the Obama administration to force same-sex marriage on all 50 states. The State Marriage Defense Act helps safeguard the ability of states to preserve traditional marriage for their citizens," he said.

Eleven senators — John Boozman of Arkansas, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Steve Daines of Montana, James Inhofe and James Lankford of Oklahoma, Mike Lee of Utah, Pat Roberts of Kansas, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby of Alabama and David Vitter of Louisiana — have cosponsored the bill. Texas Rep. Randy Weber introduced a partner bill in the House, which has 22 cosponsors.

It would effectively nullify the marriages of same-sex couples who married in one state and moved to another state where such unions were illegal. Currently, the federal government recognizes, and provides many benefits for, same-sex couples married in a state where gay marriage is legal, no matter where they move.

The bill comes as the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case this year that will decide whether gay marriage is constitutionally protected. The release announcing the bill also said Cruz will introduce a constitutional amendment protecting the rights of state legislatures to define marriage.

At the end of the day, I believe this issue will be decided by the United States Supreme Court. I believe that the court will rule in favor of gay marriage.