Gay-Marriage Bill Passes Senate Committee

Despite Dakota County Republican Sen. Dan Hall's no vote, a same-sex marriage bill moved from committee Tuesday to the full Senate. (Click on YouTube from The UpTake to see her comments, or watch them at YouTube.com.)

The Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate File 925, a bill extending marriage rights to same-sex couples, on a party-line 5-3 vote Tuesday afternoon.

Hall spoke against the bill, saying he was a nice guy—not a "bigot" as some have called him—but, he said, he has an opinion.

To watch video of the committee's discussion and vote on the bill, click on the  video at the top of this post or watch it at the UpTake's Livestream webpage.

A highlight of the debate was extended back-and-forth between opponent Sen. Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove) and .

Sen. Ron Latz, a DFLer who represents Hopkins, St. Louis Park and Plymouth, chairs the committee.

Also voting against the bill was Sen. Julianne Ortmann, a Republican whose district includes Chaska and Chanhassen.

Also voting in favor were DFLers Richard Cohen of St. Paul, Kathy Sheran of Mankato, and Kari Dziedzic of Minneapolis, and Barb Goodwin of Columbia Heights.