The New Hampshire House
passed a bill to ban child marriage in the state and raise the minimum age of marriage to 18.
The measure passed the Senate unanimously in March. On Thursday, it passed the House, 192-174. The bill now goes to Gov. Chris Sununu for signing into law.
One of those voting against was
Representative Jess Edwards, whose comments sparked immediate gasps from colleagues.
“… If we continually restrict the freedom of marriage as a legitimate social option, when we do this to people
who are a ripe, fertile age and may have a pregnancy and a baby involved, are we not, in fact, making abortion a much more desirable alternative, when marriage might be the right solution for some freedom-loving couples?”
he said.
In a state where 18 is not old enough to drink, Edwards believes girls at 16 are old enough to get married. Edwards’ daughter,
Elizabeth, served as a state representative, and Edwards said her service was the inspiration for his run for office. He is in his third term.
thefederalist.com
clintel.org
