WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. House Thursday defeated a Republican effort to enact a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
The defeat of the measure was expected, but the vote was the latest in a series aimed at shoring up support among conservative voters on Election Day.
While the measure had the support of President Bush, the vote of 227-186
fell far short of the two-thirds needed to move forward with the proposal.
The Senate rejected the measure this summer.
The amendment would have defined marriage as existing solely between a man and women.
Proponents of the bill, including Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, have argued the move was forced by "activist judges" attempting to impose their will on the nation.
But opponents to the bill counter that not only is it unconstitutional, but if enacted would represent the first time the U.S. Constitution has been amended to take away rights of a singular group.
"This is the biggest gay-rights victory ever in Congress," said Christopher E. Anders, an ACLU Legislative Counsel. "The Republican leadership showed its true political stripes and failed miserably."
