A proposed
constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in
Pennsylvania is fine, said a state senate panel on Tuesday.
But a provision that would also ban civil unions goes
too far.
Before the panel
approved the proposal, sending it to the full senate,
where if faces an uncertain future, it shortened the reach
of the legislation by removing a portion that also
would have outlawed civil unions, reports the
Associated Press. The vote to change the legislation,
which passed the house last week, came after sharp debate
between Republican senators on the judiciary
committee.
Republican
senator Jane Earll of Erie questioned whether a
constitutional amendment is even needed since state
law already bans same-sex marriage. There is no
existing court challenge to the law and no indication that a
state judge would strike it down, she said. "Many of us
believe we are fighting ghosts," Earll said.
If the multiyear
process of approving a constitutional amendment is to
continue, the proposal would need approval from not only the
full senate but also the house this month. Passing a
constitutional amendment requires approval by the
house and senate in two successive two-year sessions
of the general assembly and then the approval of voters in a
statewide referendum. (The Advocate)
