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发帖数: 19713 | 1 Washington Gay Marriage Bill Clears Senate Committee
By Julie Bolcer
OLYMPIA CAPITOL BUILDING WASHINGTON X390 (FAIR) | ADVOCATE.COM
The marriage equality bill in Washington state moved one step closer to
becoming law on Thursday when a senate committee advanced the measure to the
floor for a vote.
According to the Associated Press, “The Government Operations, Tribal
Relations & Elections Committee approved the measure with a 4-3 voice vote
split on party lines. The bill is expected to head to a floor vote next,
though a date has not yet been determined.”
The committee rejected several Republican amendments, according to the AP,
including a proposal that would have required the marriage equality bill be
sent to the ballot in November. Opponents have pledged to challenge any law
passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Christine Gregoire, but
without a referendum requirement, they would need to collect 120,577 valid
signatures by July 6 to put the issue on the ballot.
An undecided Democratic senator announced her support for the bill on Monday
, bringing the number of votes to the 25 required to pass the bill. Two
Republican senators also support the bill, which is also expected to pass
the house with bipartisan support.
Washington state appears on track to become the seventh state in addition
the District of Columbia with marriage equality. Prominent corporations with
ties to the state including Starbucks, Google, Microsoft, and Nike have
announced their support for the measure.
Washington United for Marriage, the coalition of groups working to pass the
bill, has been preparing for the likelihood of a referendum this fall. The
state became the first to uphold a same-sex relationship recognition law in
2009, when voters affirmed expanded domestic partnerships by approving
Referendum 71 by a 53% to 47% margin.
“We thank the senate committee for quickly passing this important
legislation for Washington families,” said Lacey All, chair of Washington
United for Marriage, in a statement. “We’re excited that this bill
continues to move towards final passage, and we will not let up until the
Governor signs it. While we’re happy with today’s vote, we know it is but
one battle in the fight for equality, and we will be steadfast in our
continued effort to win marriage equality and defend it in November.” | D**S
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