The Michigan Legislature Wednesday passed a bill outlawing marriage until age 18.
The legislation, which now goes to the State Senate, was approved in a bipartisan manner, with only five Republican lawmakers opposed.
One of those voting in opposition to all 10 of the proposed bills in the package was Rep. Angela Rigas of Caledonia, who represents all of Leighton Township in Lansing from the 79th District.
”My own parents started my family before my mother turned 18,” Rigas said. “If this law existed back then, our family would never even have a chance to exist. Not every person shares our beliefs. We need to allow for personal choices, even if we don’t understand why someone would want to make them.”
Rigas went on to say that the government should not interfere with choices about marriage.
“Forced or coerced child marriage is a disgusting practice, but young citizens near the age of adulthood or in unique relationship circumstances should be allowed to make their own choices together with their parents and families on how to start one of their own.
“I don’t believe the government should have a say in marriage. Period. A 17-year-old getting married to her 19-year-old boyfriend may not be a choice I would make, but it’s one she should have the right to make on her own.”
The other state representative from northeast Allegan County, 43rd District Rep. Rachelle Smit of Martin, voted in favor of nine of the 10 bills, opposing one in connection with marriage fees.
Democrats indicated they have tried to pass this legislation for many years, but were unable to do so because Republicans held majorities in the State Legislature for the past three decades. Under the old law, 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds could marry with parental permission or approval from Probate Court.
What’s to stop a pregnant teenager from waiting until she’s 18 to marry the father of her child, unless he is younger, yet then they wait until he’s 18 as well?
What Rep Rigas wants us to ignore is that most of the teenage mothers (and subsequent children) are either going to be receiving health care provided by their parent’s/legal guardian’s health plan or sign up for state and federal benefits, including WIC, regardless and waiting until they are 18 to marry the father isn’t going to change much.
If the father is working and has benefits, this new law does nothing to stop the new father from claiming their child as a dependent on their state and federal taxes. The rub might be if the mother is living at home and her parent/guardian wants to claim the mother and their grandchild as dependents to child tax credits.
While Rep Rigas wants to gloss over realities with her happy ending personal anecdote, there are still marriages that occur in MI where a family arranges for their underage daughter or a girl gets parents permission. Until the governor signs it into law, Rep Rigas and the other four state reps that opposed the legislation are giving tacit approval for young women 14-17 to marry men a year to decades older, hiding under the cover of religious freedoms.
Hopefully, at the conclusion of GOP primary season of 2024, MI district 79 will get serious representation instead of a Majorie Taylor Greene or Lauren Boebert wannabe seeking re-election.