Concord, N.H.—In a dramatic session, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a bill March 26 that allows gay couples to obtain marriage licenses—a vote that came fewer than 30 minutes after the House defeated the same measure by one vote.
The vote for passage—186 to 179—came after the House first voted 182 to 183 to reject the bill. But in an unprecedented action, the House took a rapid of series of procedural votes that threw that first vote—and the bill—into a confusing state of limbo.
It also came just minutes after a dramatic address by openly gay Rep. David Pierce, who spoke at length about his almost 20-year relationship with is partner, Bob, and their love and concern for their two young daughters.
When the first vote was posted on the electronic voting board, there was a loud exclamation from the House and public balcony—sounding both anguished and surprised—and a smattering of applause.
The House then launched into a raucous consideration of whether to table the bill—and thus preserving the ability to bring it back to the floor this session—or pronounce the measure dead. March 26 was the last day a measure could pass the House and be sent to the Senate for consideration this session.
Passage in the New Hampshire House came just three days after another historic vote in neighboring Vermont. There, the Senate voted 26-4 to pass a marriage-equality bill.
Republican Gov. Jim Douglas of Vermont said after the Senate vote there, he would veto the bill if it passed. In New Hampshire, Colin Manning, a spokesperson for Gov. John Lynch, said the governor opposes same-sex marriage but has not yet indicated whether he will sign or veto the legislation should it pass.
One of the first amendments proposed during debate was aimed at requiring the state to provide two types of marriage licenses—one for religious marriages and one for civil marriages. The proposal was struck down 306-34.
The New Hampshire bill now goes to the Senate. The Vermont bill now goes to the House.
© Keen News Service 2009