WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement today on the Supreme Court’s decision in the United States v. Windsor case, which challenged the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):

“As a firm believer that the traditional definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman is the right one, and the most effective framework for raising a family, I am disappointed by today’s Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act. The Majority’s opinion essentially leaves it up to the states to decide, but in doing so you are allowing a state definition to be applied for federal purposes. States should be free to define marriage as they wish for its own tax purposes, but federal tax law in regards to marriage should be based on a definition from Congress. While I disagree with the opinion, the Supreme Court does have the ultimate say in our system of checks and balances. It is now up to the states to protect the traditional definition of marriage as one man and one woman joined in union.”