Republicans Advance Gay Marriage Ban in Ind. House

The Republican majority in the Indiana House has signed off on a maneuver advancing the proposed state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

Democratic critics objected Thursday to the House accepting the resolution, calling its move to a different committee this week a do-over.

The House elections committee voted 9-3 along party lines Wednesday night in favor resolution. The House voted 67-30 along party lines Thursday on a technical vote to accept the committee's action, prefacing a floor debate expected next week.

Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma moved the measure to a more conservative committee Tuesday after GOP support faltered in the House Judiciary Committee. Democratic Rep. Matt Pierce of Bloomington dubbed Bosma's action a legislative "mulligan," akin to the resolution getting stuck in a sand trap.