Indiana's House of Representatives has approved a proposal that would write the state's gay marriage ban into the constitution.
The Republican-led House narrowly voted 57-40 Tuesday in favor of the measure. The proposed ban now heads to the Indiana Senate.
The vote followed weeks of uncertainty for a measure that swept through the General Assembly with ease just three years ago.
"This amendment has jumped the shark," said Democratic Rep. Mat Pierce, who voted against the measure. "History has really passed it by. And that’s why I think we need to give up on it."
The House measure leaves open the door for approval of civil unions and employer benefits for same-sex couples. It also would potentially reset the clock on Indiana's lengthy process of amending the constitution.
But Senate Republicans could potentially place the measure back on course to appear on the November ballot.
