Missouri Democrats filibuster proposed gay discrimination amendment
Source: Reuters
Missouri Democrats filibuster proposed gay discrimination amendment
Reuters
3 hours ago
(Reuters) - Democratic senators in Missouri were in the 20th hour of filibuster on Tuesday, trying to block a Republican-proposed amendment to the state constitution to prohibit penalties on religious groups that discriminate against same-sex couples.
The Democratic caucus began the filibuster at 4 p.m. on Monday and members said they planned to continue to Wednesday. A filibuster is a prolonged debate - often around the clock - aimed at blocking progress of an initiative.
The proposed amendment in Missouri is the latest in a series of measures introduced around the country by conservatives in reaction to last year's U.S. Supreme Court legalization of same-sex marriage. The measures seek to protect religious groups and companies from being fined or punished if they decline to provide services to same-sex couples, such as wedding cakes or flowers.
"The most offensive thing is that it would put discriminatory language into the constitution of the state. But it would also put general revenue of the state at risk," Senate Minority Leader Joe Keaveny, a Democrat, told Reuters. He pointed to a similar Religious Freedom Restoration Act in Indiana that led to groups threatening to cancel conventions in Indianapolis.
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