US lawmakers reject proposed ban on gay marriage

[Phlegm]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage failed to pass on in a vote in the US House of Representatives, though the issue is expected to remain a hot political topic in November legislative elections.

The proposed ban, which is highly popular among the religious right that forms the base of support for President George W. Bush and his fellow Republicans in Congress, garnered 236 votes in favor, short of the 290 votes needed.

The same proposal failed in the Senate last month, 49-48.

A two-thirds majority is needed in each chamber of Congress before the question of amending the Constitution may be taken up by the 50 states.

State courts meanwhile in New York and Georgia ruled this month that same-sex couples have no right to marry.

With Bush's Republicans facing difficult legislative elections in November, the president has repeatedly expressed his opposition to gay marriage, faulting "activist" judges who he says have overstepped their authority and undermined the traditional definition of a union between a man and a woman.

Conservative activists say they plan to place a high priority on the issue as they seek to preserve a Republican majority in Congress.

Gay marriage is recognized only in the state of Massachusetts, while Vermont and Connecticut recognize civil unions that offer gays many of the same rights as heterosexual couples.

[Donnel]

Good. Glad to see this failed in the federal bodies and is being taken up by the states where this issue belongs.

[Spazz]

Where this issue belongs is that they need to let those por fuckers get married. Its real simple math either were all equell or were not. This shit really seems like its nothing other than prejudice and people trying to legislate there tastes. They allready exist and society isnt collapsing because of them. Divorce is so high its hardly sacred. People in this country really need to get back on track with freedom first and keeping the government out of our lives.

[Granh]

I don't see what the big deal is. Wouldn't allowing gay marriage be good for the economy? Figure in the costs of weddings, along with the cost of a divorce, they'd be pumping more and more into the system and providing jobs. The adoption rates would likely go up as well. More money and fewer dead babies, what else could we ask for?

[Zanchief]

what else could we ask for?

Tolerance?

[Captain Insano]

god hates fags lololololororforfo0lroflrfolrforlfforlforlfroflroflroflroflrofl

seeing how fast you can almost type "rofl" is entertaininig.

[Narrock]

[Darcler]

I don't see what the big deal is. Wouldn't allowing gay marriage be good for the economy? Figure in the costs of weddings, along with the cost of a divorce, they'd be pumping more and more into the system and providing jobs. The adoption rates would likely go up as well. More money and fewer dead babies, what else could we ask for?

And you know their weddings would cost a ton because they would all be *fabulous*.