Same-sex marriage vote fails in Iowa House

Legislative Republicans failed in their attempt in the Iowa House to bring up for debate a proposed constitutional amendment that would define marriage as only between one man and one woman in Iowa.

GOP minority leader Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, invoked a call of the House, which required all representatives not excused for the day to return to the chamber. Paulsen implemented a House rule that would pull House Joint Resolution 6 from committee and place it on the debate calendar.

The attempt failed on a 45-54 vote. Paulsen told reporters he was attempting to get House members on the record on the issue.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines, said there are too many pressing budget matters for lawmakers to get bogged down in a divisive social issue.

Senate Republicans took to the floor to decry what they called obstruction by majority party leaders in barring debate on a resolution that seeks to bring the constitutional issue before Iowa voters. Joint resolutions must pass in the exact same form by two consecutive General Assemblies to be placed on a statewide ballot.

Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, said he is circulating a petition that would seek to bring the resolution to the Senate floor. Such a move would require the signatures of at least 26 senators. But Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said even if that were to happen he would not call the resolution up for debate and a vote this year.