The U.S. House of representatives may vote as early as Wednesday on the Federal Marriage Amendment which would ban marriages between same-sex couples.
Republicans are pushing for the vote as a litmus test going into the Nov. 2 elections across the U.S.
Even most progressive Democrats do not back same-sex marriage, including U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama, but most would prefer the federal government stay out of the debate, especially since the Defense of Marriage Act addressed the issue already. Many prefer not to codify such a ban into the U.S. Constitution.
An amendment in the U.S. Senate was defeated in July on a procedural vote, 48-50. It needs a two-thirds vote to pass in the House, and many believe it will fall short. But the on-the-record vote could hurt some Democrats and moderate Republicans up for election Nov. 2.
— Tracy Baim