Supreme Court Justice Thomas To Consider Extending Stay On Florida Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

On Monday, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi requested the US Supreme Court consider an extension to the current stay on a federal district court's ruling which struck down the state's same-sex marriage ban.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas oversees requests from the 11th Circuit (which includes the state of Florida). Thomas could decide for himself whether or not to extend the stay or submit it for review by the entire Supreme Court.

Now, it looks like he'll probably rule on his own, and most probably in favor of the extension.

From The Advocate:

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said late Tuesday that he will consider Florida attorney general Pam Bondi’s petition to extend a hold on marriage equality in the state, and he has asked plaintiffs’ attorneys to present their arguments for lifting the stay by Thursday.

[snip]

The stay was set to expire at the end of the day January 5, allowing same-sex couples to being marrying in Florida January 6, and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals this month denied Bondi's request for an extension. Bondi wants the stay to continue during the state’s appeal of Judge Robert Hinkle’s August ruling or, alternatively, until the Supreme Court decides whether to take up one of the four cases stemming from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decision to uphold marriage bans in four states."

Thomas has indicated in earlier cases that he leans toward granting such requests while rulings are still being reviewed.