Ted Cruz argued that the United States Supreme Court's decision to legalise gay marriage was "clearly wrong," even as he discussed the possibility of its overturning.
Cruz was referring to Obergefell v. Hodges, a landmark decision in 2015 that established the right to same-sex marriage nationwide.
Prior to the Supreme Court's decision, "some states were moving to allow gay marriage, and other states were moving to allow civil partnerships," Cruz explained. "The states were implementing different standards."
He did acknowledge that reversing it would result in massive legal complications.
Cruz's remarks came after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in late June, upholding a Mississippi law prohibiting abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy and leaving the issue up to each of the 50 states.
In his concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas urged the court to reconsider and potentially overturn rulings that protect gay marriage and access to birth control.
Thomas was referring to Griswold v. Connecticut, a 1965 ruling that allowed married couples access to birth control, and Lawrence v. Texas, a 2003 ruling that barred states from outlawing consensual gay sex.
Cruz stated that he does not believe the court has "any appetite" to overturn the decisions cited by Thomas.
Nonetheless, Cruz stated that the decision to legalise gay marriage was "overreaching" and "clearly wrong when it was made."