Congressman Biggs' Statement on Supreme Court's "Masterpiece Cakeshop" Opinion

GILBERT, ARIZONA – This morning, the United States Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, ruled in favor of Jack Phillips in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Congressman Biggs signed onto a brief of Amici Curiae in support of the petitioners last September. He released the following statement:

"Today's ruling marks a victory for religious freedom and the protection of Americans' First Amendment rights. I applaud the seven justices who rightly shielded Jack Philips from the unconstitutional religious hostility of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. As the opinion of the court states, ‘the Commission's actions here violated the Free Exercise Clause' – something that should never happen under the U.S. Constitution.

"In his concurring opinion, Justice Thomas wrote, ‘States cannot punish protected speech because some group finds it offensive, hurtful, stigmatic, unreasonable, or undignified….A contrary rule would allow the government to stamp out virtually any speech at will.' I agree with Justice Thomas. As this case returns to the lower courts for litigation, government must remain committed to upholding our First Amendment rights everywhere and at all times. I will work with my colleagues to ensure we are faithful to our duty to support and defend the Constitution."

###

Congressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.