Marriage Debate Resumed in Iowa House

Iowa House Republicans introduced two bills addressing the 2009 Iowa Supreme Court decision that ruled Iowa’s Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional leading to marriage licenses being issued to same-sex couples.  State Representative Greg Heartsill (R-Melcher-Dallas) introduced HF 101 on Tuesday.

The bill explanation reads:

This bill provides that a marriage license shall not be granted where both parties are of the same gender. The bill directs that the county registrar shall not grant a marriage license where both parties are of the same gender until such time as an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa defining marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman is submitted to the electorate for ratification. Following submission of the amendment to the electorate for ratification, if the amendment is not ratified, the provision prohibiting the granting of a marriage license where both parties are of the same gender is repealed upon the official certification of the vote.

Essentially it is placing a “stay” on the Supreme Court’s decision until the people of Iowa decide the issue.  “House File 101 is requiring county registrars to follow the law when issuing marriage licenses,” Heartsill told Caffeinated Thoughts. “In chapter 595.2 of the Iowa Code, it clearly states that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid.”

State Representatives Steven Holt (R-Denison), Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville), Tedd Gassman (R-Scarville), Dean Fisher (R-Garwin), Larry Sheets (R-Moulton), John Kooiker (R-Boyden), and Ralph Watts (R-Adel) are co-sponsors of the bill.

Apparently marriage is a labor issue as AFSCME Iowa Council 61 is registered against.  The ACLU of Iowa, One Iowa and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa are also registered against.  The Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition is registered in favor of the bill

Heartsill also filed HJR 4 which is the Iowa Marriage Amendment that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.  The amendment has passed the House in each General Assembly since the Iowa Supreme Court decision.  HJR 4 is co-sponsored by State Representatives Holt, John Wills (R-Spirit Lake), Clel Baudler (R-Greenfield), Salmon, Gassman, Fisher, Sheets, Matt Windschitl (R-Missouri Valley), Terry Baxter (R-Garner), Kooiker and Watts.

ACLU of Iowa, One Iowa and the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa registered against Iowans deciding this question.  Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition registered in support of Iowans’ right to decide the definition of marriage.

Neither bill is expected to even make it out of committee in the Iowa Senate if passed out of the Iowa House.