West Virginia House of Delegates Defeats Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment

The West Virginia House of Delegates has voted against advancing a proposed constitutional amendment on marriage.

The delegates voted 67-30 to reject an attempt by the Family Policy Council of West Virginia to put the issue before voters.

Earlier this month, the resolution stalled in a house committee and the Family Policy Council of West Virginia paid for a telemarketing campaign that some West Virginia Democratic lawmakers said was designed to “intimidate” them. But that effort failed to move the bill, so last week they pressed GOP lawmakers for action and that prompted Republican delegates to move by to force it to the full House.

Republican [sic] are overwhelmingly out numbered [sic] by Democrats in the West Virginia House and today’s vote followed along party lines.

West Virginia has had marriage law since 2000. But the F P C of W VA says it doesn’t go far enough and could be challenged in court.