Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has
suggested House Speaker Frank McNulty will block a civil unions bill
from passage during a special session which convenes Monday.
Hickenlooper, a Democrat, last week
announced during an emotional press conference that he was calling
lawmakers back to Denver to finish work on a civil unions bill and
other measures which died on the House floor last Tuesday as the
legislative session came to an end.
The measure reached the House floor
with the help of three Republicans on three separate House
committees. On the final day left to debate the bill, Democrats
accused Republican leaders of a filibuster on civil unions.
House Republicans responded by calling
an indefinite recess.
Appearing Sunday on Face the Nation,
Hickenlooper said McNulty was preparing to send the bill back to
committee.
When asked whether he believes civil
unions will pass during the special session, Hickenlooper answered:
“Well, it depends on Frank – Speaker McNulty. You know Frank and
I agree on 90 percent of the stuff, but on this issue he has the
power to choose. And he said he was going to start with a blank
slate and pick new committees. That doesn't bode well.”
Hickenlooper added that he hopes
McNulty will “recognize that we're not talking about marriage.
We're talking about civil unions. And just making sure people have
the same civil rights.” (The video is embedded in the right panel
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In public statements, McNulty has often
referred to the measure as legalizing marriage for gay and lesbian
couples.
At least five Republicans had indicated
support for civil unions in the House, where Republicans enjoy a 1
seat majority. The Senate earlier approved the measure.