Sen. Ted Cruz To Colbert: I Wouldn't Compromise Like Reagan Because No One Is Asking Me To

Sen. Ted Cruz dropped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to discuss the idea of compromise in politics (a la Reagan) and of course, same-sex marriage.

Cruz got a somewhat chilly response from the audience, which I'm sure Cruz expected to some degree given Colbert's audience. But when it came to talking on marriage equality, he actually garnered some boos.

From NBC News:

When a few audience members began to boo the White House hopeful, Colbert asked for their respect and gave Cruz the last word.

“The 10th Amendment states that if the Constitution doesn’t mention it, it’s a question for the states,” said Cruz, a Harvard law graduate who once clerked for Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

“I don’t think we should entrust governing our society to five unelected lawyers in Washington.”

On his last line, Cruz received some applause, which largely eluded him throughout the interview. “If you want to win an issue, go to the ballot box and win at the ballot box,” he said. “That’s the way the Constitution was designed.”

You'll note that Cruz makes a point of lessening the level of respect that should be afforded the Supreme Court Justices by always referring to them as "unelected lawyers," not "judges" or "justices."

Utah Passes Limited Housing & Employment LGBT Protections

The result of a joint effort by LGBT activists and the Mormon Church, the Utah legislature has passed a bill - SB 296  - which will provide some protections for LGBT folks in the areas of employment and housing.

Last week, Utah’s Senate passed the measure by a vote of 23-5, and last night's vote in the House was a huge victory at 65-10.

Via Gay Star News:

The so-called ‘Utah compromise’ protects LGBT people when it comes to employment and housing. However, religious organizations are exempt. This means that they could still fire someone for being gay or transgender. If they operate housing schemes – through colleges, charities or other affiliates – they could also deny them accommodation.

Gov. Gary Herbert is expected to sign the bill tonight.

The legislation does not cover goods and services. Another bill, HB322, is headed to the state Senate where it looks to face an uphill battle as it basically outlines a "license to discriminate" that we've seen in other states in regard to public accommodations. That bill passed in the House 54-21.

Also, the House voted on SB 297 which would allow employees in county offices to "opt-out" of performing same-sex marriages, but would require that another employee would be available to officiate the wedding. That measure passed also, by a vote of 66-9.

Highway bill passes in the US Senate with bipartisan support

A two-year, $109 billion measure providing federal funding for the nation’s roads, rails bridges and airports for the next two years passed the Senate on a 74 to 22 vote Wednesday with broad bipartisan support.

The Senate bill’s supporters — Democrats, Republicans, labor unions and business groups — say the bill will help create or sustain almost 3 million jobs, mostly in the construction industry.

Of the 22 Senators who voted against the job creating bill, all were Republican.

Despite Senate passage, the fate of federal transportation funding is unclear in the House. House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio)hasn’t ruled out a vote on the Senate bill, but his aides said this week he is still negotiating details with GOP lawmakers.