What are you hearing on the not-so-objective news?

Are you interested in an in-depth conversation about a recent political messaging bill voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives that completely ignores the law of the land in Nevada on same-sex marriage? Do you want to know the facts, rather than what you are hearing on the not-so-objective news? Please read on.

Following the abortion-related Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision by the Supreme Court this summer, a statement by one Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas, which was supported by no one else on the Court, has spun the majority party in control of the White House and Congress into full fear-monger mode to have you believe that rights guaranteed in the State of Nevada, related to same-sex marriage, contraception access, and abortion, are at risk. The fact that you are being told something about a problem or threat that exists on national news or online, does not change the status quo reality in Nevada.

Shortly after the Dobbs decision was issued; in July, a messaging bill by the House majority party – H.R. 8404, the so-called “Respect for Marriage Act” was introduced, sent to the House floor, and voted on, all in a span of less than 24 hours. There were no hearings, no reviews of what individual states have already done, and no respect for states, like Nevada, that have addressed this issue at the ballot box. The Senate has yet to take up this bill. Despite all this show, it is important to note that the right to same-sex marriage is unchanged and remains the law of the land and here in Nevada.

In Nevada, this issue has been dealt with by you the voters in a straightforward and transparent fashion. We did not ask for, nor do we need direction from a body of 435 individuals – 431 of whom are not from Nevada. Nevada voters have said at the ballot box what they want the rules to be regarding same-sex marriage, abortion rights, how they want to run elections in Nevada, as well as other issues. Federal politicians in the majority party, in a cynical, shallow election stunt, are in for misleading you. There is no change for Nevadans on social issues because of Roe or Dobbs.

In an age where we are struggling with the complete disregard of legislative rules; political agendas aimed at election advantage do nothing to solve the real issues facing Nevadans today. I sure wish we could get a bill to the floor to make meaningful policy changes at the border, on energy, or on housing costs, to name a few. Instead, we try to inject a federal political solution into an issue where Nevada law is quite clear. Long story short—the ability to terminate a pregnancy has existed in Nevada for over 30 years and is still the law of the land. The ability to choose one’s marriage partner and has not been changed. The ability to access contraception in whatever form you see fit is the practice and has not been changed. The citizens of Nevada have spoken, and their will deserves to be respected.

If you think most information on federal legislation isn’t slanted by the national media’s partisan political agenda, I beg to disagree. I think it is the norm.

If you have any questions about the work that I’m doing in Congress, or if you need assistance with another issue, I have a dedicated team ready each day to help you navigate federal government resources. We take casework very seriously, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us.