Simple majority not enough to pass marriage amendment

Washington D.C., Jun 6, 2006 / 22:00 pm

The Senate today, voted to reject a proposed amendment to the US Constitution which would ban gay "marriage".

Although a slight majority of senators did vote in favor of the amendment - the vote was 49-48 - proponents of the ammendment did not come up with the 60 votes necessary to send the amendment to the next step.

Many sources, including many lawmakers in favor of the amendment, were forcasting failure. However, the amendment´s proposal, many point out, has brought the issue once again to the forefront and with a particularly polarizing effect.

Bishops and Archbishops in several dioceses, as well as other religious and non-religious groups have released recent statements in favor of the amendment.

Liberals have responded with arguements of their own, with some, including high profile Democratic Senator, Ted Kennedy resorting to name calling. Kennedy was quoted recently saying that, "A vote for this amendment is a vote for bigotry, pure and simple." Conservatives respond, however, that their support for a marriage amendment is not an attack on homosexuals, but rather an attempt to protect the institution of marriage.

The possibility still exists for individual states to propose amendments to their constitutions. And supporters of the amendment are hopeful that the issue´s reemergence will reinvigorate social conservatives for upcoming elections.