Leahy Pulls Same-Sex Marriage Amendment from Immigration Bill

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has withdrawn an amendment to the immigration bill that would allow same-sex couples the same access to green cards as married straight couples, The Hill reports.

Leahy said it was with a "heavy heart" that he withdrew the amendment, but Republicans told him they would withhold their support of the bill if the amendment remained, and he took them at their word.

Leahy said his amendment would have ended discrimination in America's immigration system. Under Leahy's amendment, an American citizen with a same-sex partner who was an immigrant would have been allowed to petition for a green card, allowing the partner to legally work in the United States.

Despite the defeat of his amendment, Leahy vowed to "continue to fight for equality."

Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Dianne Feinstein of California supported Leahy's amendment, but said they would not favor keeping it if it resu