Same-sex marriage debate shifts to Congress
Despite House Speaker John A. Boehner’s efforts to steer Congress clear of the same-sex marriage debate, his conservative majority will push the issue to the floor this week.
House Republicans want to ban the use of military chapels for gay weddings, and tacked a prohibition onto must-pass defense legislation -- turning a routine military bill into a venue for the same-sex marriage debate.
The vote will put lawmakers on the record on an issue that is helping to define the parties this election season after President Obama announced his support of gay marriage. Mitt Romney, the GOP front-runner, is opposed.
The annual Pentagon legislation sets pay for the troops and policy for the Defense Department -- and usually has bipartisan support. But the provision banning military grounds and installations from being used for same-sex marriages is likely to draw opposition.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-same-sex-marriage-debate-shifts-to-congress-20120514,0,3715693.story
