[JURIST] AP is reporting that the US House of Representatives [official website] has defeated a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage [JURIST news archive]. House leaders scheduled the vote [JURIST report] on the Marriage Protection Amendment [PDF text; H.J. Res. 88 summary] despite a failed vote on the Senate floor [JURIST report] in June. Last month, President Bush urged Congress to approve the amendment [JURIST report].

The House vote was 236-187 [roll call] in favor of the proposal, falling 47 votes short of the two-thirds majority necessary to approve a constitutional amendment. To become law, a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority in each house of Congress followed by ratification by three-quarters of the states. AP has more.