A proposed amendment to ban gay marriage in
Indiana was beaten with the smallest possible margin (5-5) in the
Indiana House Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee. Five
Democrats opposed the amendment, with four Republicans and one Democrat
supporting it.
The Democrats who voted against the proposed amendment said they had no
problem with the first section of the amendment, which states that
marriage is between a man and a woman. Each said they believe in that
portion, but had concerns about the consequences of a second section
which states that no law can be construed as granting the legal
incidents of marriage to anyone other than a married man and woman.
Indiana Democrat Dan Parker applauded the amendment's defeat, "House
Democrats took a stand today against ill-crafted legislation that would
have done more harm than good. This wasnt a vote against traditional
marriage; it was a vote for protecting vulnerable Hoosiers and promoting
job growth....[Governor Daniels should show] some kind of leadership on
the amendment, especially in light of his much-touted commitment to
economic development. The governor has had multiple chances to say
something about this amendment, but hes nowhere to be found."
Rules Committee Chair Rep. Scott Pelath (D) said the issue is over for
this year. But it could return in 2008 and if approved by the
legislature go on the ballot that November.