Same Sex Marriage Bill Sent Back to House Committee

A long-awaited vote on the same-sex marriage bill never took place Friday when the House of Delegates voted to send the bill back to committee this afternoon

The procedural vote came after nearly three hours of debate in which it became clear that the votes, considered close by supporters and opponents, were not there to pass the bill.

The Senate passed the bill being considered by the House on Feb. 24.

During today's debate, the House killed two amendments to the bill in voice votes including one

House leaders and bill sponsors acknowledged that the move to send the bill back to the House Judiciary Committee effectively kills the bill this year.

Supporters of same-sex marriage said this is not the end of their battle to be recognized in Maryland. Equality Maryland Executive Director Morgan Meneses-Sheets praised member of the LGBT caucus and legislators that supported the bill, along with Gov. Martin O'Malley. The governor said he would have signed the bill had it reached his desk.

"While I am truly disappointed that there was no vote today, today's move was a strategic step that will allow us to fight and win in the future," said Meneses-Sheets in an e-mail.

"Never before have we come so far. A majority of the State Senate and a large number of legislators in the House of Delegates recognized that the exclusion of loving and committed gay and lesbian couples from marriage must end."

O'Malley said he was disappointed that the bill didn't get passed which would have made Maryland the sixth state in the nation to recognize same-sex marriage.

“It is my firm belief that equality under the law means equality for everyone, and our laws should reflect that fundamental principle," said O'Malley in a statement. "Together, we’ve worked hard to protect and expand these rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered citizens in our state.  It was my hope to sign a marriage equality act consistent with these progressive reforms, while protecting religious freedom in our state.   

“As one Maryland we must work together to respect the dignity of every individual.  I remain committed to working with all Marylanders to ensure that rights are protected for equally for everyone.”

Del. Pat McDonough, a Middle River Republican, said he was surprised by the move. An opponent of the bill, he was preparing to challenge it with a push for a referendum during the 2012 elections.

"This was a major loss for the House leadership and the liberal activists," McDonough said. "This kills the bill. I think the push against the bill by churches, especially the black churches, had an impact in what happened today.

"Republican in the House purposely said nothing during the debate today and let Democrats opposed to the bill set the tone for the debate."

Stay with Patch for more reaction.