Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Ut.)

With the D.C. Council’s same-sex marriage bill scheduled for a December 1 vote and a petition to put the issue on the ballot denied, opponents of same-sex marriage might finally have to live up to a threat they’ve been making in recent months: to take the issue to Congress.

But a hearing on the Hill this week on legislation that could grant the District more budgetary and legislative autonomy showed that even if opponent take their complaints to Congress, they’re unlikely to get far. Chief District foe Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Ut.) was one of two Republicans at the hearing, and even he admitted that there exists little chance of derailing the legislation once it comes to Congress for its mandatory 30-day review period. “Democrats have the House and the Senate and the presidency,” Chaffetz told the Post. “I’m going to try to fight back, but procedurally, they’ve got us pretty well wrapped up.”

Today, DC Vote added its voice to the debate, pleading with same-sex marriage opponents not to take their complaints to Congress. In a statement, Executive Director Ilir Zherka said, “We know that our opponents in the Congress will use every chance they get, including a D.C. law providing for marriage equality, to restrict the rights of D.C. residents. We promise to fight that congressional intrusion. We ask that D.C. residents on both sides of the marriage equality debate refrain from taking this fight to Capitol Hill. Let’s stand in solidarity in support of democracy for D.C.”

So far, these sorts of arguments have rung hollow with adamant same-sex marriage opponents, who remain angry about what they call a violation of their voting rights for being denied a popular vote on the issue. But even if they organize to petition Congress, conservatives will not likely be able to marshal the votes to stop the District from legalizing same-sex marriage next year.