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(Annapolis, Maryland) A
proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in
Maryland died in a House committee today after a day of
rancorous debate between Democrats and Republicans on what has
become the most emotionally charged issue of the 2006 General
Assembly session.
Republican proponents of the amendment said they do not plan
to give up and are exploring options to get the bill up for
debate by the full House of Delegates.
The amendment, which originally banned same-sex marriages and
civil unions, was rejected on a unanimous vote in the
Judiciary Committee after Democrats narrowly amended it so it
would define marriage as a union of one man and one woman but
also allow civil unions with all the rights of marriage.
"We will not give up this fight," Del. Christopher
Shank, R-Washington, said after the Judiciary Committee vote.
He said Republicans will use every parliamentary maneuver at
their disposal to get the 141-member House of Delegates on
record on the issue of gay marriage, but told reporters:
"I'm not gong to stand here and announce what our
strategy will be."
The committee vote came at the end of a day of wrangling that
began at the morning session of the House of Delegates when
Republicans tried a rarely used House rule to bring the bill
to the House before the committee vote. House Speaker Michael
Busch gaveled the session to a close before any action could
be taken.
That brought swift condemnation from Republicans, including
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., who criticized the speaker's
handling of the issue.
Busch defended his actions, noting that the bill got an
expedited hearing and was scheduled for a vote today, a fact
that he said was known to Republicans.
"We have been fair and forthright on this issue,"
Busch said, adding that there are steps Republicans can take
to get the bill up for debate despite the Judiciary Committee
vote.
©365Gay.com 2006
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