The proposed marriage amendment, which supporters say will prevent judges from legalizing civil unions and gay marriage, moved forward today when the Senate Appropriations Committee approved it 18-8. Look to Wednesday for a full vote on the floor of the GOP-controlled Senate, and that may prove to be this bill’s highwater mark. With Democrats in control of the state House, I highly doubt Democratic leadership will want to give Republicans any legislative victories during this election year. Then, again, we are talking about the House of Representatives … so you never know.
In order for the proposed amendment to stay on track, the Senate and House must approve identical language by December. Any failure to do so would make the proposed amendment DOA.
