Sen. Clayton Hee predicts easy sailing in Hawaii Senate for gay marriage bill
Mon. November 11, 2013 8:25 AM by Carlos Santoscoy
Honolulu, HI -
Senator Clayton Hee, chair of the Hawaii Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee, told reporters on Saturday that he expects the Senate will give final approval to a gay marriage bill on Tuesday.
Hee, a Democrat, announced that he would recommend passage of the bill as amended in a House committee and approved Friday by the full House.
(Related: Honolulu Star Advertiser.
The Senate approved the marriage bill last week. But a return trip is necessary for senators to consider amendments approved during the House committee phase.
"Although Hawaii was not the first to enact same-sex marriage, what shouldn't be lost is Hawaii was the first – in the Baehr v. Lewin lawsuit – that started the same-sex marriage discussion nationally," he said, a reference to the landmark 1993 Supreme Court case that struck down the state's law limiting marriage to heterosexual couples. Five years later, voters responded by approving a constitutional amendment which gives lawmakers "the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples."
Hee predicted a 21-4 vote in the Senate, with three Democrats voting against the measure.
Democratic Governor Neil Abercrombie applauded Friday's passage in the House and has pledged his signature.
State Rep. Bob McDermott, a Republican, announced Friday that he plans to ask a court to block the law's start. McDermott argues that the 1998 amendment gives lawmakers the power to only define marriage as a heterosexual union.
Hee, a Democrat, announced that he would recommend passage of the bill as amended in a House committee and approved Friday by the full House.
(Related: Honolulu Star Advertiser.
The Senate approved the marriage bill last week. But a return trip is necessary for senators to consider amendments approved during the House committee phase.
"Although Hawaii was not the first to enact same-sex marriage, what shouldn't be lost is Hawaii was the first – in the Baehr v. Lewin lawsuit – that started the same-sex marriage discussion nationally," he said, a reference to the landmark 1993 Supreme Court case that struck down the state's law limiting marriage to heterosexual couples. Five years later, voters responded by approving a constitutional amendment which gives lawmakers "the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples."
Hee predicted a 21-4 vote in the Senate, with three Democrats voting against the measure.
Democratic Governor Neil Abercrombie applauded Friday's passage in the House and has pledged his signature.
State Rep. Bob McDermott, a Republican, announced Friday that he plans to ask a court to block the law's start. McDermott argues that the 1998 amendment gives lawmakers the power to only define marriage as a heterosexual union.
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