federal

The Republican-led House voted Thursday to prevent federal courts from ordering states to recognize gay marriages sanctioned by other states. The Marriage Protection Act was adopted by a 233-194 vote, buoyed by backing from the Bush administration. It would strip the Supreme Court and other...

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Efforts to pass a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage foundered Wednesday afternoon, when the proposal failed to garner enough votes to stay alive. After final arguments by the leaders of each party, a partial vote count made it clear that GOP leaders would...