Iowa GOP Fails In Bid To Advance Anti-Gay Amendment

[WillParkinson]

(Des Moines, Iowa) Iowa Republicans frustrated with the majority Democrats refusal to hold a vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage have failed in their last ditch effort to advance the measure.

House Minority Leader Christopher Rants attempted on Tuesday to use a procedural motion to move the amendment out of committee where it has been stonewalled and onto the floor of the House for a full vote.

On a 50-to-46 vote along party lines Democrats rejected the motion.

That means the issue remains in committee where it will likely die by the end of the week.

More: http://www.365gay.com/Newscon08/03/030508io.htm

[Maat]

1. Great news (n/t)!

[rurallib]

2. I am from Iowa and this makes me so happy

My local rep told me there was no way the Dems were going to let the pugs bring this up. So the minority leader tried an end run around the committee system. This is really about the only wedge issue the pugs have and they are trying desperately to bring it up.
The Dems were able to stop it on a procedural vote. That should help diffuse the political ramifications.
Jeez imagine Repubs having to run on their real record instead of using fear and hate to build their party.

[MuseRider]

3. Great news Iowa!

I am so happy for all of you. Keep going, hopefully someday our Kansas crew will be shamed into reconsidering our ban. If nothing else we can learn from those of you who defeat it or get rid of it to be able to mount our own fight.

[Ian David]

4. Iowa Gay Marriage Ban Defeated in House (Sort of, but not with complete certainty)

Wednesday, March 05, 2008


A lawmaker's attempt to push legislation aimed at amending the Iowa Constitution to ban gay marriage failed Tuesday but will probably become a campaign issue this fall, lawmakers said.

House Minority Leader Christopher Rants sought a procedural vote to allow the proposal to skip past the typical legislative process and come up for debate in the full House. Approval of the resolution would be the Legislature's first step toward setting a public vote on amending the constitution.

The effort's failure means House Joint Resolution 8 is likely to die in committee this week. Most legislation must pass a House or Senate committee by the end of the week to remain eligible for further debate this year.

"I'm disappointed by the outcome," Rants, a Sioux City Republican, said shortly after the 50-to-46 vote split along party lines. Democrats voted against bringing up the resolution.

More:
http://livelovelearn247.blogspot.com/2008/03/iowa-gay-marriage-ban-defeated-in-house.html

[MuseRider]

5. If the Dems in Iowa

are smarter than the average present day Dem they will use this to their advantage and they will start now instead of reacting later.

The Republicans are for discrimination and for taking rights away from citizens (depending on the wording of their bill) or for keeping people from obtaining the full rights of citizenry while they fulfill their obligation as citizens.