We’ve been warning that this was possible — no bill is ever entirely dead until the Legislature goes home. We just sent out the following press release:
Just two weeks after it died in the Texas House, a measure designed to subvert a potential U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage has been suddenly revived in the Texas Senate.
Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, chair of the Senate Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, added to an omnibus bill on county government — HB 2977 by state Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston — core language from state Rep. Cecil Bell’s failed HB 4105. HB 4105 would have barred state and local officials from licensing, enforcing or recognizing a same-sex marriage even if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples. HB 4105 died in the House two weeks ago.
The committee first approved the revised HB 2977 Monday night. The committee took a second vote today after some committee members objected that Sen. Lucio hadn’t told them that the marriage language had been added to the bill. Sen. Lucio, a Democrat, voted with three Republicans to approve the revised bill. Two Democrats, Sen. Sylvia Garcia of Houston and Sen. José Menéndez of San Antonio, voted against.
A coalition of civil liberties and LGBT-rights organizations — American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Equality Texas, Texas Freedom Network and the Human Rights Campaign — issued the following statements about the revised bill:
Terri Burke, Executive Director, ACLU of Texas:
“Sen. Lucio’s attempt to stain Texas’ reputation with this retrograde legislation demonstrates that he’s on the wrong side of history and not in line with Texas values. In the long run, we are confident that the Supreme Court will grant loving LGBT couples the freedom to marry in Texas. And we call upon the Senate to defeat this attempt to enshrine discrimination in our state.”
Chuck Smith, Executive Director, Equality Texas:
“At its core, the amendment added to HB 2977 by Sen. Lucio is an attempt to subvert any future ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on the freedom to marry. Pursuing a strategy to defy the Supreme Court will cost Texas taxpayers millions in litigation and cause great damage to our economy and reputation. In its present form, HB2977 must be defeated.”
Kathy Miller, President, Texas Freedom Network:
“This reckless move tosses aside the state’s responsibilities under the U.S. Constitution and callously betrays loving gay and lesbian couples who simply want to make a lifetime commitment and protect their families the same way everyone else does. Every senator, regardless of party, should reject this amended bill and save Texas from the same firestorm of criticism that swept through Indiana and other states that have passed legislation promoting discrimination against LGBT people and their families.”
Marty Rouse, National Field Director, Human Rights Campaign:
“This amendment sends an extreme message about the future of the Lone Star State – a future where all Texans are not welcome to live and thrive. Texas Senators must do everything in their power to stop this destructive and divisive assault on LGBT Texans and their families before it inflicts needless damage on this great state.”
Doesn’t everyone already have same rights anyway. Why this bantering back and forth?
I sure don’t understand Republicans and Democrats on this issue.
No, not everyone has the same rights. Or more precisely, our government doesn’t recognize the same rights for everyone.
F__king gop bastards! I hope every single one of them that did this will be held responsible when Texas is boycotted like Indiana was. These god dammed religious extremists must be voted out of office. Their bigotry is sickening!
TEXANS! You must contact your Legislators and let them know that this Bill is not what we want. Then work as hard as possible to get Eligible voters registered, to the polls, and make sure that those members who are not interested in Texan issues – on this and other issues–are voted out! Texas used to be a state that people ADMIRED. Now, we are a state that people make JOKES about.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT BERNIE SANDERS. He is the only candidate that knows what needs to be done and will do it. He’s honest to a fault and has less than $200,000 in assets.
As far as the TEAliban (used to be the GOP) goes, if people vote for them, they will do everything they can do to destroy any chance Texas has for being respected.
Their hate and loathing for people who are not them has moved me to stop voting, period. Until there are some GOOD liberals are on a ticket, screw ’em all.
I’m seriously thinking about leaving this stupid state with its stupid people who continue to vote for the TEAliban. I’m a proud liberal. We’ve done more to improve live in these “united” States. More in another post.