Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/14pdf/14-556_3204.pdf
Page Number: 78

Cite as:  576 U. S. ____ (2015) 

1 

THOMAS, J., dissenting 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES 

_________________ 

Nos. 14–556, 14-562, 14-571 and 14–574 
_________________ 

14–556 

JAMES OBERGEFELL, ET AL., PETITIONERS 
v. 
RICHARD HODGES, DIRECTOR, OHIO 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ET AL.; 

14–562 

VALERIA TANCO, ET AL., PETITIONERS 
v. 
BILL HASLAM, GOVERNOR OF 
TENNESSEE, ET AL.; 

14–571 

APRIL DEBOER, ET AL., PETITIONERS 
v. 
RICK SNYDER, GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN,  
ET AL.; AND 

14–574 

GREGORY BOURKE, ET AL., PETITIONERS 
v. 
STEVE BESHEAR, GOVERNOR OF  
KENTUCKY 

ON WRITS OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF 
APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT 

[June 26, 2015]

 JUSTICE  THOMAS,  with  whom  JUSTICE  SCALIA  joins,

dissenting. 

The  Court’s  decision  today  is  at  odds  not  only  with  the
Constitution,  but  with  the  principles  upon  which  our
Nation was built.  Since well before 1787, liberty has been
understood  as  freedom  from  government  action,  not  enti-
tlement to government benefits.  The Framers created our