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D.C. to Introduce Same-Sex Marriage Bill

DC Gay MarriageFrom the Washington Post:

Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill said it appears unlikely that Congress will block a bill to be introduced Tuesday that would allow same-sex marriages in the District.

D.C. Council leaders have vowed to expedite the bill and said they hope to put it to a final vote before Christmas. But even if same-sex couples start marrying next year, the long-term survival of the practice would be in doubt for years, depending on the makeup of the House and Senate, congressional officials said.

On Tuesday morning, D.C. Council member David A. Catania (I-At Large) will introduce his bill, which says that “any person . . . may marry any other eligible person regardless of gender.” The legislation, which has 10 co-sponsors including Catania, is expected to sail through the council’s committee process. Under Home Rule, Congress will have 30 legislative days to review the council’s action before it becomes law.

Given the stakes for the gay community locally and nationally, many city leaders and activists have begun calculating how Congress might react to the sight of same-sex couples getting married in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol.

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