John Thune on Same-Sex Marriage

John Thune has consistently maintained his opposition to same-sex marriage, viewing it as a matter best left to the states rather than a federal mandate. His core position stems from his conservative social views, which include a belief in the traditional definition of marriage. This stance was clearly evidenced by his vote against the Respect for Marriage Act when it was considered by the Senate in 2022. He did not support the legislation that would have federally protected same-sex and interracial marriages against potential future judicial challenges.

In the context of the 2022 legislative effort, Thune explained his opposition by stating that he and his Republican colleague did not support the bill, indicating a unified front within his conservative wing against federalizing the issue. His consistent record suggests he views the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide as settled law but does not support further federal action codifying it. He maintains his belief that the issue should rest with individual states, reflecting a long-standing judicial philosophy among many social conservatives.