House lawmakers in West Virginia have
introduced two bills that would limit marriage to a heterosexual
union in the West Virginia Constitution.
Both bills appear to have stalled in
committee, but several lawmakers have threatened to wrench them out
of committee and onto the floor for a vote.
“We hope that it's not necessary to
do a discharge motion, but if it is and it's the only way we can get
a debate on it, then I think that will happen,” minority leader Tim
Armstead, a Republican from Kanawha, told West Virginia Public
Broadcasting.
Both bills were introduced on January
13, but Democratic Delegate Harold Michael's bill would also forbid
recognition of gay couples with civil unions or domestic
partnerships, in addition to marriage.
“There are folks on both sides of the
aisle that are probably for and against it, but as a sponsor of that
legislation, I'd like to see it brought before the whole House so
that we can vote it,” Delegate Ricky Moye, a Democrat from Raleigh,
said.
Democrats control the West Virginia
House with an overwhelming majority, but Democrats are clearly not
united against the bill.
On Tuesday, Democrats
in Iowa thwarted similar Republican attempts to knock a gay marriage
ban bill out of committee and onto the floor of the House and Senate
for debate.