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March 16, 2006

Iowa senate deadlocks on proposed marriage ban

An Iowa senate committee deadlocked Tuesday on a proposed state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages, prompting accusations from both parties. Republicans accused Democrats of blocking debate on the issue, while Democrats accused the GOP of seeking political gain by focusing on the marriage issue.

"It saddens me that Republicans have resorted to playing partisan politics with hot-button social issues rather than work to find common-ground solutions to move this state forward," said senate Democratic leader Michael Gronstal, of Council Bluffs. Republican senator David Miller countered by saying Democrats are "stonewalling" debate on same-sex marriages.

With the senate tied at 25–25, both parties must agree before any issue can proceed. The senate state government committee planned more debate on the marriage question Wednesday.

The state already has a law defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman, but a group of gay couples has filed a lawsuit challenging that law. Conservatives argue that the lawsuit demonstrates the need for a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage to prevent judges from overturning state law.

To get a potential amendment on the ballot, it must be approved by two consecutive general assemblies and then go on the ballot for the next statewide election. If lawmakers don't approve a measure this session, the earliest possible election would be in 2010. (AP)

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