Earlier this morning, the Iowa state senate shut down--at least temporarily--a drive to ban gay marriage in the state.
The battle began just after 7 a.m., when Sen. Kent Sorenson, R-Indianola, asked for unanimous consent from the 50 senators to call up Senate Joint Resolution 8. The resolution, sponsored by all 24 Senate Republicans, proposes amending the Iowa Constitution to specify that marriage between one man and one woman is the only legal union valid or recognized in the state.
Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, first said "no" on calling up the resolution for a vote, saying it would violate procedures because the Democratic majority leader had already called up another resolution for a vote.
But Republicans objected, and after more consideration, Kibbie agreed to allow a vote on whether or not to override the Senate president.
The vote failed along party lines, 26-24. Tells you how little proportion Iowa fundies have--they wanted to push back the people's business to score points on an inflammatory issue.