Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum said Sunday that he would fight a Supreme Court ruling striking down state bans on gay marriage.

The high court is expected to hand down a ruling next month in a case challenging bans in four states.

Appearing on NBC's Meet The Press, Santorum told host Chuck Todd that “it's important to understand the Supreme Court does not have the final word.”

“It is the role of Congress and the president to sometimes push back,” he said.

“If [the Supreme Court] legalizes same-sex marriage for the entire country, do you accept that ruling or do you fight it?” Todd asked.

“Of course I'd fight it,” Santorum answered. “Roe v. Wade was decided 30-some years ago and I continue to fight that because I think the court got it wrong. And I think if the court decides this case in error, I will continue to fight as we have on the issue of life. And that's the role of the citizenry. We're not bound by what 9 people say in perpetuity.”