Gay Marriage Betrayal In Arizona

It was run-out-the-clock time as Aboud played devil's advocate to Cheuvront's theoretical questions on the excise tax. During the debate, Harper interrupted Aboud in mid sentence, saying: “One second, I clicked on the wrong thing. I clicked on the 'clear mikes'. If you would like to speak go ahead and push your buttons again.”

But then Harper did not return to Aboud, instead opting to recognize Republican Majority Leader Senator Thayer Verschoor, shutting off all other microphones. Verschoor moved to have all bills retained on the calendar – a move designed to cut off all debate.

Harper quickly placed the motion to a vote and it easily passed.

Senator Meg Burton-Cahill (Democrat), whose microphone was off, objected to being overlooked, “I had my light on for some time now!”

Pandemonium ensued when Harper insisted the motion had passed. Democratic Senators Aboud, Cheuvront, Garcia and Burton-Cahill rushed down the aisle to reason with Harper and Senate President Timothy Bee.

Verschoor walked about the room, clearly elated with the chaos he had created.

Aboud and Cheuvront – feeling the sting of being whipped by Republican dirty tricks – appeared visibly despondent. With debate cut off and Johnson present, there was nothing stopping the ban from passing.

Later in the session, Aboud would say, “Let me explain how I feel about voting in this body where the rules have been broken and the leadership of this body that is running this body supported that decision. I don't mean the Senate President, I mean the the majority leader.”

On the Arizona Senate's website, video of the session shows Verschoor mulling about the floor before the gay marriage debate. He stops to speak to two senators discussing the measure and says, “All we need is 16 and... We can do anything – we can change the rule, it doesn't make any difference.” The context surrounding his remarks remains unclear.

As SCR1042, which defines marriage in Arizona as only between one man and one woman, came up for a vote, all Aboud and Cheuvront could do was voice their opposition to the amendment.

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