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Same-sex marriage vote delayed by House Democrats to use as potential leverage for defense bill

House Democrats delayed voting on a bill Tuesday to codify same-sex marriage protections in order to potentially use the legislation as leverage with their members for a must-pass defense policy measure.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said it was “under consideration” to tie the Respect for Marriage Act to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) during a procedural process later this week. The intention would be to win over progressives who are threatening to tank the annual defense bill because it may include controversial energy-permitting legislation by Sen. Joe Manchin III.

Mr. Hoyer, Maryland Democrat, vowed that the same-sex marriage bill will pass “one way or another.