By Kathleen Gilbert
MONTPELIER, Vermont, March 25, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas said today that he would veto a bill the Senate passed Monday that would open the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples, reports the Associated Press (AP).
Douglas had indicated earlier that he thought the state’s civil unions for same-sex couples were enough, and that he was against same-sex “marriage.”
The Democratic-dominated Vermont Senate voted 26-4 Monday in favor of the bill, S. 115, which would redefine marriage as “the legally recognized union of two people.” The House is now considering similar legislation.
The AP reports Douglas also indicated today that the Senate should not have spent time on the bill, to the detriment of pressing economic problems. Douglas’ remarks echoed a complaint made by critics of the bill at the onset of the ratification process, decrying the bill as rushed by design.
Douglas’ veto could be overridden by the state legislature if there is a two-thirds majority in favor of the bill in both the Senate and the House.
The state Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to introduce the bill last Friday, after a week of emotional hearings that drew thousands of people to the Statehouse pleading for and against the legislation.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Vermont Committee Approves Same-Sex “Marriage” Bill
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032009.html
Vermont Begins Hearings on Same-Sex “Marriage” Bill
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031703.html