D.C. Council approves marriage equality legislation

12/01/09 D.C. Metro Weekly:

The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009 [last revised on November 10th] passed its first reading during a City Council legislative meeting this morning, Dec. 1, with the majority of the Council supporting the measure, 11-2 ... If the bill passes a second vote by the Council, no sooner than 13 days after the first vote, it then goes to Mayor Adrian Fenty, who is expected to sign it. Afterward, the legislation would be subject to 30 legislative days of congressional oversight.

12/01/09 Leonard Link, by law professor Arthur Leonard:

Now the period of suspense begins. Will Congress take any action to block it? Under the paternalistic rules of governance in the District, Congress has a veto on District legislation. The Democratic leadership managed to forestall any vote on the recognition measure earlier this year. The ball is now in the court of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to make this stick!