(Indianapolis, Indiana) Indiana’s Senate Republican Caucus voted this week not to consider a resolution that would have proposed amending the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.  

Political observers say the vote means the amendment is unlikely to advance during this legislative session.  The resolution would require approval by the Senate and House in two consecutive legislative sessions, and, if approved, would then go before the voters. 

Similar measures were also introduced this year in the Indiana House of Representatives, but House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer has indicated that they will not be considered this session.  The legislative session is scheduled to end in late April 2009.

Indiana already has a so-called Defense of Marriage law that bans same-sex marriage and civil unions, but supporters of a constitutional amendment say the law could be overturned by the courts.

Two previous attempts to advance an amendment in the legislature died.  On both occasions it had passed the Senate only to die in the House.

The House measure introduced this year sought to win support of moderates by specifically create wording that would not bar domestic partner benefits.

Indiana Equality welcomed the GOP decision not to take up the proposed amendment.

“Indiana Equality is glad to see that the Senate has finally decided this issue is unworthy of their time, after passing a similar measure on four occasions,” said spokesperson Randy Studt.