'Clock is ticking' on gay marriage amendment

A procedural effort designed to force the Iowa Senate to take up a proposed constitutional amendment on marriage apparently is falling short again this session.

Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, said today that a discharge petition of withdraw he has circulated among senators to move House Joint Resolution 6 out of committee has failed to garner the 26 votes needed to move the issue to the Senate debate calendar. He said he received commitments from 24 Senate Republicans and noted “the clock is ticking” for at least two majority Democrats to sign it.

The resolution will fall victim to Friday's self-imposed legislative “funnel” deadline unless the bill is approved by the Senate State Government Committee this week. But committee chairman, Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo, said the resolution lacks the vote needed to pass – meaning it will not meet the criteria of clearing one legislative chamber and a committee of the other chamber to remain eligible for consideration this session.

The joint resolution that passed the House 62-37 proposes an amendment to the state constitution specifying that marriage between one man and one woman shall be the only legal union valid or recognized in this state.

Under Iowa law, a joint resolution to amend the state constitution must pass consecutive General Assemblies in the same form to come before voters in a statewide election.