Washington: The US Senate on Wednesday rejected a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, but supporters said new votes for the measure represent progress that gives conservative Republicans reason to vote on Election Day.
The 49-48 vote fell 11 short of the 60 required to send the matter for an up-or-down tally by the full Senate. The amendment's failure was no surprise, but supporters said the vote reflected growing support among Senators and Americans.
"We're building votes," said Republican Senator David Vitter, who is among supporters of the ban who were not in the Senate when the amendment was last voted on in 2004. "That's often what's required over several years to get there, particularly to a two-thirds vote."
A majority of Americans define marriage as a union of a man and a woman, as the proposed amendment does, according to a poll out this week by ABC News. But an equal majority opposes amending the Constitution on this issue, the poll found.
"Most Americans are not yet convinced that their elected representatives or the judiciary are likely to expand decisively the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples," said Republican Senator John McCain, a possible presidential candidate in 2008. He told the Senate on Tuesday he does not support the amendment.
The measure's defeat in the Senate is by no means its last stand, said its supporters.
"I do not believe the sponsors are going to fall back and cry about it," said Republican Senator Orrin Hatch. "I think they are going to keep bringing it up."
The House of Representatives plans an attempt next month, said Majority Leader John Boehner, a Republican.
"This is an issue that is of significant importance to many Americans," Boehner told reporters. "We have significant numbers of our members who want a vote on this, so we are going to have a vote."
The defeat came despite daily appeals for passage by President George W. Bush, whose standing is troubled by sagging poll numbers and a dissatisfied conservative base.
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