Minnesota State Rep. Peggy Scott, a
Republican, says her “heart breaks” over passage of a gay
marriage bill in the House.
The House debated the measure on
Thursday for roughly 3 hours before approving it with 75 votes,
including four votes from previously undeclared Republicans.
Fifty-nine House members, including two Democrats, voted against
advancing the bill.
“My heart breaks for Minnesota,”
Scott told the Star-Tribune on
the House floor after the vote.
“It's a divisive issue that divides
our state,” she continued, wiping away tears. “It's not what we
needed to be doing at this time. We want to come together for the
state of Minnesota, we don't want to divide it.”
(Related: Minnesota
gay marriage: A victory for Rep. Karen Clark.)
The Senate will take up the measure on
Monday.
If the law is approved, it will take
effect on August 1, the same day that gay and lesbian couples in
Rhode Island can begin marrying.