Pa. Senate Tables Bill on Gay Marriage, Civil Unions Ban

By MARC LEVY, Associated Press Writer

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state Senate on Tuesday indefinitely tabled a measure that would amend Pennsylvania's Constitution to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions.

The bill had been scheduled for a floor vote Tuesday evening, but chief sponsor Sen. Michael Brubaker told colleagues that it would be set aside because it faced long odds in the House.

"It has become apparent that, as the issue stands today, Senate Bill 1250 will not move in the House," said Brubaker, R-Lancaster.

The bill, had it passed the Senate, was slated to be sent to the State Government Committee, which is headed by Rep. Babette Josephs, a Philadelphia Democrat who opposes the measure.

Because of that, the Senate's Republican leaders had no assurance that the bill would get a vote in the House at least 90 days before the November general election, the constitutional deadline to keep it alive, Brubaker said. (read the rest of the article here)