Well I felt really jubilant and excited for the LGBT people of Rhode Island. “but” there had to be a catch! sure enough as I read on, there it was!
“The debate will now head to the state Senate where a contentious battle is anticipated to unfold with a number of senior lawmakers adamantly opposed to equality for same-sex couples.”
I hope that after passing with a large majority in the house of representatives, it does not get blocked by a minority in the state senate. To get so far and then fall at the last hurdle would be a crushing blow just as it was in California with Prop 8.
Hopefully the cases to be reviewed remove the hurdles for all future states to make equal marriage universal in all US states. without future challenges.
Yes, but these aren’t Obama style Democrats. A lot of them are religiously-backed Old Guard Democrats. Some of the vilest discriminatory statements over the past few years have come from the Blue side of the debate.
It’s been introduced ever year for the last eleven years, but never passed the committee hearings until now.
Despite there been a 32-5 Democrat majority + 1 independent in the Senate, the Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Michael McCaffrey are all opposed to equal marriage, so it could be a while before they allow a debate.
Weed has said only that there’d be a vote before May or June. McCaffrey said last year he wouldn’t block a vote but only says it’ll be “in the spring” citing “more important” issues. The Senate Committee vote will be very, very close given that they’re equally divided 4-4 with two undecided members who are both being heavily lobbied from both sides, but who would both have to vote in favour/one abstain in order for the bill to move forwards.
Also just read that a marriage equality bill was introduced in the Hawaiian House and Senate yesterday (24th January).
With three quarters of Rhode Island’s Representatives in favour, it is only a matter of time before the state joins the club. Soon the important threshold of 13 States (more than 25%) will be crossed and any future attempt to change the US Constitution to outlaw gay marriages nationwide will become impossible as at least 38 States (more than 75%) would have to ratify such a move.
I hope that gay marriage in all 50 States will become Barack Obama’s legacy when he relinquishes the White House in four years from now.
Now on to the Senate Judiciary And Appropriations Committee!
DO NOT GET TOO EXCITED YET!
There are only 11 co-sponsors on the Marriage Equality Bill 2013 in the State Senate, when it needs at least 25 co-sponsors to pass a Senate majority – since there are 48 state Senators in Rhode Island!
The SSM Bill has not got a chance to pass in the Senate!
The Rhode Island Senate is full of bigoted Conservative old idiot so called “Dixiecrats”!
“Dixiecrats” are Democrats that are more Republican policy based and mainly from the southern US States that are aligned to right-wing ideas and ideals!
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Wow. Great news. Just the Senate to get through. 10+DC on the horizon *fingers crossed*
Well I felt really jubilant and excited for the LGBT people of Rhode Island. “but” there had to be a catch! sure enough as I read on, there it was!
“The debate will now head to the state Senate where a contentious battle is anticipated to unfold with a number of senior lawmakers adamantly opposed to equality for same-sex couples.”
I hope that after passing with a large majority in the house of representatives, it does not get blocked by a minority in the state senate. To get so far and then fall at the last hurdle would be a crushing blow just as it was in California with Prop 8.
Hopefully the cases to be reviewed remove the hurdles for all future states to make equal marriage universal in all US states. without future challenges.
Come on 10 states !!! That would be 1/5 of the country. But plus supreme court will help the fight for equality.
Good news so far. They may not ultimately win this time round but attitudes are clearly changing.
This is great news, do the democrats have a majority in the senate?
Yes, but these aren’t Obama style Democrats. A lot of them are religiously-backed Old Guard Democrats. Some of the vilest discriminatory statements over the past few years have come from the Blue side of the debate.
It’s been introduced ever year for the last eleven years, but never passed the committee hearings until now.
Despite there been a 32-5 Democrat majority + 1 independent in the Senate, the Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Michael McCaffrey are all opposed to equal marriage, so it could be a while before they allow a debate.
Weed has said only that there’d be a vote before May or June. McCaffrey said last year he wouldn’t block a vote but only says it’ll be “in the spring” citing “more important” issues. The Senate Committee vote will be very, very close given that they’re equally divided 4-4 with two undecided members who are both being heavily lobbied from both sides, but who would both have to vote in favour/one abstain in order for the bill to move forwards.
Also just read that a marriage equality bill was introduced in the Hawaiian House and Senate yesterday (24th January).
Excellent news! Here’s hoping it gets through and equality wins!
With three quarters of Rhode Island’s Representatives in favour, it is only a matter of time before the state joins the club. Soon the important threshold of 13 States (more than 25%) will be crossed and any future attempt to change the US Constitution to outlaw gay marriages nationwide will become impossible as at least 38 States (more than 75%) would have to ratify such a move.
I hope that gay marriage in all 50 States will become Barack Obama’s legacy when he relinquishes the White House in four years from now.
Yes it passed the House!
Now on to the Senate Judiciary And Appropriations Committee!
DO NOT GET TOO EXCITED YET!
There are only 11 co-sponsors on the Marriage Equality Bill 2013 in the State Senate, when it needs at least 25 co-sponsors to pass a Senate majority – since there are 48 state Senators in Rhode Island!
The SSM Bill has not got a chance to pass in the Senate!
The Rhode Island Senate is full of bigoted Conservative old idiot so called “Dixiecrats”!
“Dixiecrats” are Democrats that are more Republican policy based and mainly from the southern US States that are aligned to right-wing ideas and ideals!