''The vote today by House Republicans was a big step backwards for the constitutional rights of all Iowans. I remain committed to protecting the rights of all Iowans and focusing our energy on helping Iowans recover from the national recession.''
Statement from Mike Gronstal, Democratic Majority Leader of the Iowa Senate, reacting to the vote by the state's House to define marriage as being for heterosexual couples only. It's reported that Gronstal will not call for the issue to be debated in the state senate. (WHOTV-13)
''We had the public hearing the other night and we had numerous individuals come forward and talk about marriage equality, and to me marriage is about a commitment to one another and supporting one another. My 'no' vote today was in support of that civil commitment that two individuals have for one another.''
Lisa Heddings of the Iowa House, which voted to define marriage as man-woman only on Tuesday, 62-37. Many individuals had testified for or against the measure. (IowaStateDaily)
