Gov. Christie Says States Should Decide On Same-Sex Marriage
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Gov. Chris Christie says it shouldn't be up to the Supreme Court to decide whether states allow same-sex marriage.
The Republican governor weighed in Thursday on the court's decision this week not to hear appeals from a handful of states, paving the way for a significant expansion across the country.
But Christie told reporters he doesn't believe gay marriage is something that should be imposed by the highest court.
"I think this is something each state should have the ability to decide on their own," Christie said.
Christie personally opposes same-sex marriage but dropped his administration's legal challenge to a lower court's decision allowing it last year.
"New Jersey courts have made the decision they made and as I said at the time, while my position on this issue is very well known, I take an oath, and my oath is to enforce the laws of this state and the Constitution of this state to the best of my ability," Christie said.
He said he has been upholding the law since then.
"Even though I disagree with it, I've enforced it vigorously and made sure that it was enforced fairly and directly in this state," Christie said. "I would expect every governor would do that in their state regardless of where the law is and where their own particular position is on it."
Christie had avoided commenting on the court's decision at a campaign stop earlier this week.
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