NOM BLOG

Iowa Senator Gronstal Promises to Block the People's Vote on Marriage, Again

 

The Associated Press:

A proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Iowa will again be a topic during the legislative session beginning Jan. 9, but the top Senate Democrat said Thursday he would block debate over the issue.

"People's rights should not be put to a popular vote," said Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs. "We didn't put slavery to a vote of the people. We didn't put the right to go to a school in your neighborhood to a vote of the people of Iowa."

Senate Minority Leader Jerry Behn, R-Boone, said the debate is less about gay marriage than allowing voters to have their say on an emotional issue. He promised that Republicans will again push the issue.

"We're just discussing should Iowans get a vote on it," said Behn. "Absolutely, Iowans should get a vote on it. It's outrageous that he's going to say no."

The two spoke during a taping of the Iowa Public Television program, "Iowa Press."

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