Texas House Committee Approves End-Run Bill Around Same-Sex Marriage

A Texas state House committee has approved a bill along party lines that would attempt to stop same-sex marriage in the state should SCOTUS rule in favor of marriage equality:

The State Affairs Committee passed House Bill 4105, which would forbid the use of state or local funds for issuing same-sex marriage licenses. The 7-3 vote was along party lines, with only Republicans supporting the measure. The proposal now heads to a committee that schedules legislation for debate by the full House.

“The intent is to assert the sovereign rights of Texas and of the citizens of Texas,” said Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, the bill's author. “I believe it is a bipartisan issue — our social rights and our traditional values."

Christina Gorczynski, campaign director for the pro-gay marriage advocacy group Texas Wins, said in a statement the measure is unconstitutional.

"HB 4105 is blatant discrimination, which is bad for business and our reputation nationwide," Gorczynski said.

Texas' state ban on same-sex marriage was struck down last year by a U.S. District Judge. The state appealed that ruling to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in January, but it's thought the ruling may be held until SCOTUS issues it's ruling in June.