Harrisburg Kills Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment

COMMONWEALTH CONFIDENTIAL: For the third time in four years, lawmakers have defeated an attempt to advance legislation to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage. This time the Republican-majority Senate Judiciary committee voted 8-6 to table a bill (SB 707), introduced by Sen. John Eichelberger (R., Blair) to amended the constitution to define marriage as being between a man and woman only. The vote came before a packed hearing room without any debate. Opponents called it a victory for gay rights. “I believe that Senate Bill 707 is the antithesis of what Pennsylvanians need and want, and I am happy that the majority of my colleagues agree with me,” said Sen. Daylin Leach (D., Montgomery). “To support a bill that so clearly discriminates against an entire group of people is simply unconscionable and irresponsible.” Earlier this year, Leach introduced a measure (SB 935) that would provide for marriage equality in Pennsylvania. MORE