Missouri House Bill HCR49

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/26

Caption

Rejects the Obergefell v. Hodges decision and calls upon the Supreme Court of the United States to reverse Obergefell v. Hodges

Impact

The resolution argues that judicial decisions, particularly Obergefell, constitute an overreach of judicial power that undermines legislative authority and the will of the people, as expressed through their votes. By proclaiming the need to return the authority over marriage to the states and the populace, HCR49 has significant implications for the regulatory powers surrounding marriage in Missouri. Should the resolution be adopted, it may foster renewed legislative efforts to challenge or reshape state marriage laws in alignment with its objectives.

Summary

HCR49 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the Missouri General Assembly that explicitly rejects the Obergefell v. Hodges decision by the Supreme Court of the United States. This landmark ruling, issued in 2015, established that same-sex couples have the constitutional right to marry, effectively overriding state laws that prohibited such marriages. HCR49 calls on the Supreme Court to reverse this decision and restore the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, which is aligned with a voter-mandated definition established in Missouri's Amendment 2 in 2004.

Contention

The adoption and implications of HCR49 have sparked considerable debate among lawmakers and citizens alike. Proponents see this resolution as a necessary affirmation of traditional marriage definitions and a way to reclaim state authority over this social institution. Conversely, opponents of the resolution argue that it could lead to a rollback of civil rights for same-sex couples in Missouri, potentially infringing upon individual liberties and rights established under federal law. This contention highlights a broader national conversation about the balance of power between state and federal authorities regarding social issues.