Committee Approves Same-Sex Marriage Bill

The same-sex marriage bill currently before the D.C. Council passed its first formal hurdle today, as the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary voted to move the bill on to the full council for debate (see more at D.C. Wire). The committee approved the bill by a 4 to 1 vote; Council member Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) was the lone dissenter. Before voting, the committee altered the bill's language to remove a provision that would have eliminated domestic partnerships, as well as broaden the religious exemption. With 10 co-sponsors, the bill is expected to pass the full council with no trouble at all. A full council vote is expected on Dec. 1.