WASHINGTON, July 13 (UPI) -- A gay advocate Republican group called Tuesday for Senate GOP leaders to allow an up-or-down vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
The Log Cabin Republicans urged Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., and Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Col., to allow the vote.
The group said the three amendment sponsors were offered the opportunity Friday to allow a vote on the proposed amendment. Frist accepted the offer, but then rejected it, fearing an embarrassing defeat, the group said.
The Log Cabin Republicans generally support the Republican Party and President George W. Bush, except when it comes to gay issues.
Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union criticized House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, for considering two proposals in the House.
One would block the District of Columbia from recognizing gay marriages in other states; the other would attempt to keep the Supreme Court from hearing challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act, which says states do not have to recognize same-sex marriages in other states.
