Senate Blocks Bush Move to Ban Same-Sex Marriage

Wed Jul 14, 2004 06:44 PM ET

By Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush on Wednesday failed in his attempt to amend the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage when a divided U.S. Senate blocked the measure, virtually killing it for at least this election year.

On a 48-to-50 vote, six Republicans broke ranks as proponents of a proposed amendment fell 12 votes short of the needed 60 to end a Democratic procedural hurdle.

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As if we don't have more important things to do. Here we are in the middle of a war and the GOP manages to find time to manufacture a congressional debate on a constitutional amendment that everyone knew was toast before it was even offerred up. Frankly I don't give a rip if two consenting adults want to formalize their love for each other in a legally binding institution. If two guys or two girls want to get married more power to them. Doesn't threaten me, my family or the sanctity of my marriage in any way whatsoever. But what is pathetic is this obvious tactic by the right wing of the Republican party to use public resources to manufacture a campaign issue they hope will resonate with middle America. Disgusting.