New Mexico lawmakers have shelved a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, the
Albuquerque Journal reports.
The bill, which proposed changing the state Constitution to allow legal weddings between two people of the same sex, was tabled by the state House Voters and Elections Committee by a 7-4 vote.
"That was it … [It’s a] huge disappointment," Democratic Rep. Brian Egolf, who sponsored the measure, told the Journal.
"I think it's a shame that people have to come to the Legislature to ask permission under the law to be treated equally."’
Two Democrats joined the panel’s GOP members to set aside the measure.
"These people, gays, already have the option to be in a relationship, but I do not believe in marriage," said Democratic Rep. Mary Helen Garcia, according to KRQE News.
Republican Rep. James Smithas was quoted by KRQE as saying: "I don't believe we need to define marriage either way in the New Mexico Constitution, and I'm just hoping the federal government can come up with a solution for us."
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