Iowa House Judiciary Committee advances process to put gay marriage ban to vote

A Iowa House subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee voted 2-1 to begin the long process of putting a gay marriage ban before voters.
     Republicans Dwayne Alons (chief sponsor) and Chris Hagenow voted for and Democrat Beth Wessel-Kroeschel against.
     The full committee followed suit, voting 13-8 along party lines (except for turncoat Rep. Kurt Swaim, the sole Democrat to vote with the Republicans) to advance the resolution to amend Iowa's constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage.
     The amendment would deny state recognition to arrangements such as civil unions and domestic partnerships as well as prohibiting same-sex marriages.
     Drake University constitutional law scholar Mark Kende told the Des Moines Register Monday that banning gay marriages raises deep constitutional questions and almost certainly ensures that the measure, if approved, would be headed for the U.S. Supreme Court.
     A public hearing is scheduled for next week in Iowa's General Assembly before the measure is voted on. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has vowed to block any vote on an amendment that would ban same-sex marriage.

KCCI video is here.
Des Moines Register: Scope of marriage debate disputed.