In Bizarre Session, Colo. House Kills Civil Unions Bill

An intense game of political chicken regarding civil union legislation took place last night in the Colorado House of Representatives, and when neither side backed down, the session ended in an impasse. The legislation to allow civil unions will not get a vote because the Legislature adjourns today, and a host of other measures won't get a vote as a result, the AP reports. Gay rights supporters reacted with chants of “shame on you,” and one man yelled, "I hope you (expletive) die!"

The Senate had approved the bill, the governor supported it, and it also had the support of enough Republicans in the GOP-controlled House that it would have passed. But conservatives were enraged when a Republican joined with Democrats to pass the bill out of committee, and what followed was a series of procedural tactics by both sides that eventually ran down the clock. The Denver Post has more on the suspenseful—and sometimes bizarre—session, including this tidbit: As the Republicans filibustered, at one point debating a bill having to do with healthy school lunches, one rep yelled, "Not a one of you has the courage to vote against chocolate!" (More civil union stories.)