The Senate State Affairs Committee decided again for the second time this week, not to consider an amendment to the state constitution that would have banned same-sex marriages.
Committee Chairwoman Sheila Sorensen says it all comes this, President Bush's recent call to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gay marriage has pre-empted the need for the state amendment. "I simply don't believe in a state that's as conservative as Idaho and the Supreme Court as conservative as it is that they're going to overturn a law that we have in place in the defense of marriage," said Sen. Sheila Sorenson, Committee Chairwoman.
Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes says he felt it was important to bring this issue before a vote of the people."The public deserves an opportunity to be part of the process," said Geddes.
After statements by each committee member, they voted 5-4 to not bring the resolution to a hearing. "Am I disappointed that we won't have a full hearing, sure I am. Am I disappointed that we won't have a chance to debate that on the floor, sure I am. But the process was maintained, it was protected and preserved and that's part of my duty and responsibility as the President Pro Tem, " said Sen. Geddes.
"I didn't really know where it was going to go or how the vote was going to be," said Sen. Sorensen. She also says she's relieved, but she knows it's not over. "I think I'll have to be vigilant everyday that I'm here to make sure that I can at least state my case and hopefully that those of us in the Senate will uphold this committee system," said Sorenson.
Meanwhile, some organizations who were opposed to this resolution say, they also plan to remain vigilant. "I think people should listen to the committee that voted today (Friday) to not hear this resolution and we think that is a wise decision and it's the best decision they could make for the people of Idaho so we're very pleased," said Lee Flinn, Idaho Women's Network.