(Host) The Vermont House voted 95-52 in favor of same-sex marriage tonight in a preliminary vote on the bill.
Representative Bill Lippert of Hinesburg opened the debate.
(Lippert) “The language of marriage communicates something universally that is deeply important, and offers protection, as well.”
(Host) The debate went late into the evening before lawmakers endorsed the proposal. Final debate is scheduled for tomorrow.
Governor Jim Douglas has vowed to veto the bill, but says he’ll respect the decision of lawmakers if they vote to override him.
It’s unclear whether there will be the votes to enact the law over the governor’s veto. It takes a two-thirds majority to override a governor and the vote fell short of that. But advocates and legislative leaders say it’s still possible that they could achieve the necessary majority by the time the bill would return to the House after a veto.
Lippert says Vermont’s civil unions law nine years ago was the right thing to do at the time.
But Lippert referred to a statement by Vermont Human Rights Commission Chairman Joe Benning in arguing that now it’s time for marriage.
(Lippert) “In 2009 it’s time to move to full marriage equality. I am drawn to Mr. Benning’s concluding comment. `This is not just the right thing to do. It’s the Vermont thing to do.”’