Marriage amendment movement

A proposal to define marriage in the state constitution as the union between a man and woman may come to a vote in the state House this week.

A House committee voted Tuesday to send the bill to a vote, which is the most progress the proposal has made in the four years, Lynn Bonner reports.

A move by Democrats to have the bill referred to another committee, where it would likely have died, failed in a 14-10 vote. Three Democrats voted with 11 Republicans to keep the bill from being diverted to a judiciary committee.

John Rustin, lobbyist for the N.C. Family Policy Council, said he was encouraged by the vote.

"This is the most action we've seen on the bill," he said.

At a press conference this morning. Gov. Mike Easley said he didn't think an amendment is necessary but he wouldn't oppose a referendum if the legislature puts it on the ballot, Jim Nesbitt reports.

"That's fine with me, as well, but I don't think it's appropriate to make the public think marriage is coming under a barrage by the Supreme Court of North Carolina," he said.

The measure would require 72 of 120 House votes and 30 Senate votes to go onto a statewide ballot.