Philadelphia Inquirer: Pa. moves to ban same-sex marriage

Philadelphia Inquirer: The state House approved, by 136-61, a constitutional amendment that would shore up an existing law::

In the first major legislative action since the primary election shook up its ranks, the state House yesterday did not take up property-tax relief or lobbying disclosure - issues voters have complained most vocally about - but instead approved a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

By a vote of 136-61, which included significant Democratic support, the House approved a proposal that would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

The bill will likely be voted on in the Senate by the end of the month, a Senate Republican spokesman said.

A constitutional amendment requires passage in the legislature in two consecutive sessions and then approval by voters in a statewide referendum, which could come as early as spring 2007.

High-pitched debate on the House floor dragged on for more than three hours as supporters cited a need to protect the traditional definition of marriage, while opponents said such an amendment would stigmatize the state as intolerant and discriminatory.