Maryland House Committee Rejects Anti-Same-Sex Marriage Bill

On Wednesday, members of the Maryland House committee shot down a bill that would have prohibited Maryland from recognizing same-sex marriages that were legal in other states and countries.

The vote was 12-8 to reject the legislation sponsored by Del. Emmett Burns, a Democratic Baltimore County minister. The same committee has rejected similar measures introduced in earlier years. Their vote prevents the bill from going to the House floor for debate.

During the hearings last week, more than 20 people testified against Burns’ bill, including Candace Gingrich-Jones, the half-sister of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, while only five people including Burns spoke in support.

Congress oversees the district's laws, so the bill must pass a period of 30-day review by Congress.