Both of Vermont’s U.S. senators have voted against a measure banning gay marriage as an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The vote was 50-to-48, ten short of the 60 needed to keep the measure alive.
U.S. Senator Jim Jeffords says he wishes the Republican leadership would make some time for debate on important issues, rather than devoting its efforts at boosting the conservative agenda. U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy noted that the constitution has only been amended 17 times – and there is no reason to do so now.