Largely along party lines, the House of Delegates has scuttled a GOP-led attempt to advance a proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage, The Associated Press reports.
The amendment would declare marriage as between one man and one woman. While a statewide vote would decide the amendment, the Legislature must first adopt a resolution to put the question on the ballot.
Monday's move sought to force the resolution from the Constitutional Revision Committee, where it has sat untouched, to the full House.
A 67-30 vote blocked that attempt. All 29 House Republicans voted to take up the discharge motion, as did Delegate Tom Louisos, D-Fayette.
Update: AP notes that "an evangelical group has pressed lawmakers" on the topic, and that "House Republicans mounted a similar attempt in 2006. It became part of a failed election ad campaign to increase GOP ranks in that chamber."
"West Virginia has had marriage law since 2000, the article explains. "But amendment supporters say it doesn't go far enough and could be challenged in court."
MetroNews also has an item.
30 March 2009
House Bottles Up Same-Sex Marriage Bid
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The vote may have been 67-30 to block, but the people of the state would actually vote at least that strongly to approve if given the chance. Perhaps this will help to show the people how out of touch their "representatives" are.
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