Iowa Republican Predicts Removal of More Judges

Following a voter recall of three Iowa supreme court justices who voted for marriage equality, state senate Republican leader Paul McKinley said the four remaining justices would be at risk of losing their jobs unless lawmakers give Iowans a chance to vote on a constitutional amendment to outlaw same-sex marriages.

According to Radio Iowa, McKinley said if lawmakers do not succeed in putting a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot, then the other justices would also be at risk because of their contribution to the unanimous decision that brought marriage equality to the state last year. He blamed the recent loss of the three justices on the Democrats' insistence on marriage equality.

McKinley said, "That is an issue that the people overwhelmingly said, 'We want to have a say in this. It should not be overreaching government or judges. I believe the [justices] would still be in office had Mike Gronstal allowed that vote over the past two years. It would not even have been an issue."

Gronstal, the Democratic leader in the state senate, has vowed to block any attempt to advance a constitutional amendment against marriage equality. His party holds a 26-24 edge over Republicans after last week's election.

In the house, where Republicans hold a 60-40 majority, Republican leader Kraig Paulsen plans to have the chamber endorse the prospect of a constitutional amendment, according to Radio Iowa.

Moving a constitutional amendment against marriage equality would not be easy in Iowa, where both the senate and house must pass a resolution in two consecutive sessions before the amendment could be placed on the general election ballot.