Gay marriage ban rebuffed

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans failed on Tuesday in their effort to start the process of amending the Iowa Constitution to ban gay marriage — meaning it will likely be 2014 at the earliest before voters could decide on the issue.

The Republican lawmakers tried procedural moves to pull measures out of committees and force a vote, but they couldn’t get enough votes in either the House or Senate.

“There are a lot of folks out there who say they support traditional marriage,” said House Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, “This is an opportunity to back that up.”

Democrats, who hold majorities in both chambers, responded that lawmakers have their hands full with budget problems and don’t have time for a gay marriage debate.

“We’re not going to get bogged down this session with divisive social issues,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Des Moines.

At issue are resolutions calling for a vote to amend the Iowa Constitution, overturning an Iowa Supreme Court decision last April that struck down a state law banning gay marriage. Amending the constitution is a lengthy process requiring approval in two consecutive General Assemblies before a proposed amendment can go before voters.

If the measure isn’t approved during the current legislative session, its next chance would be getting approved in the Legislature elected in November and then the one elected in November 2012. That means the 2014 general election is the earliest that voters could be asked if they want to amend the constitution.

The resolutions have languished in legislative committees and face a deadline Friday to remain eligible for debate this year.

In the 50-seat Senate, supporters couldn’t reach the 26 vote threshold needed to force a vote. In the House, gay marriage opponents used a rare procedural step to force all members to be present for a vote on pulling the gay marriage ban out of committee. The vote failed 54-45 largely along party lines, with Rep. Dolores Mertz of Ottosen the only Democrat who supported the move.

Some Republicans said they’ll now focus on using the Democrats’ vote against them in November elections. “While our bipartisan effort fell short of gaining the 26 votes needed to proceed, the voters this November will have an opportunity to decide if they are content with the continued Democratic obstruction and inaction,” said Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley, R-Chariton.

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