Rosapepe Puts Maryland Marriage Bill Over the Top

By Chris Geidner -

Following quickly on the heels of today's historic committee vote sending Maryland's marriage equality bill to the floor of the full Senate, the final necessary vote for passage in the Senate declared his support for the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act.
Sen. James Carew Rosapepe (D-Prince George's, Anne Arundel) is the 24th member of the 46-member body to declare his support, telling his constituents in an e-mail that he intends to vote for the bill as it was approved by the committee today, according to the Baltimore Sun.
From Rosapepe's e-mail:

I intend to vote for the bill as it was reported out of Committee with a strengthened conscience clause to respect the views of religious denominations which do not recognize same sex marriage. I don’t know what other amendments may be proposed on the Senate floor but will keep your concerns in mind as we consider them.

Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-Montgomery) told Metro Weekly earlier today that he expects the bill to be considered by the full Senate next week.
As of now, Sen. John Astle (D-Anne Arundel) is the only senator to remain undecided. Sen. Joan Carter Conway (D-Baltimore City) is also undeclared, but according to Equality Maryland, Conway has told her constituents that if Senate Bill 116 receives 23 votes, she would cast a vote in favor it.

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