Republicans in New Hampshire’s House of Representatives have decided not to pursue bills that would repeal marriage equality laws, the Associated Press reports. Instead, according to House GOP Leader D.J. Bettencourt, lawmakers will focus on jobs and the economy.
“The social issues must take a back seat,” Bettencourt told the AP.
At least two bills to repeal gay marriage in New Hampshire have been filed, according to The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation’s (GLAAD) blog. Committees may now hold those bills until next year, according to the AP. Under the state’s rules, House committees are not permitted to kill draft bills, but instead may hold them for the first year of a two-year session for a vote the following year.
“The legislative process will work its way through on those bills,” Bettencourt told the AP. “Our focus will be on fixing the budget, reforming the pension system and getting to work on reforming the education system.”
