UPDATE: Rapert’s resolution has failed. More here →
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An Arkansas lawmaker says he’ll ask his colleagues to pass a resolution urging the state Supreme Court to uphold a gay marriage ban and invalidate hundreds of marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples.
Republican Sen. Jason Rapert of Conway says he’ll present the non-binding resolution to the Arkansas Legislative Council urging justices to reverse Pulaski County Judge Chris Piazza’s decision striking down the state’s gay marriage ban.
Rapert says the resolution going before the panel Friday morning has at least 20 co-sponsors.
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The resolution would express support for the 2004 constitutional amendment approved by voters defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Piazza struck down that ban and a 1997 law last week. Thursday, he expanded that decision to include all laws banning same-sex marriage.
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But Republican House Speaker Davy Carter called Rapert’s suggestion “absurd,” and said he would not support any attempts at impeachment.
“Trying to impeach a judge because you don’t like his or her decision notwithstanding the subject matter is absurd and goes against hundreds of years of the way our great country has conducted business under our three branches of government,” said Carter.
