Chaffetz works to overturn D.C.'s vote on same-sex marriage

By Andrew Adams | Posted - May 7, 2009 at 9:20 a.m.

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WASHINGTON D.C. -- Utah Representative Jason Chaffetz wants to overturn the District of Columbia's move to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

The freshman congressman is the ranking Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee, which oversees Washington D.C.

He told the Salt Lake Tribune he's in favor of recognizing marriage as a union between a man and a woman. "I'm not in favor of trying to redefine it, or disguise it under another name," he told the paper.

The Washington D.C. City Council voted 12-1 to recognize same-sex marriages. Congress has 30 days to overturn any ordinance passed by the council.

Chaffetz says he and House minority leaders are discussing which tactics to use in the battle. He wants to bring the issue to a vote before the full House. If that happens, it could be an unprecedented Congressional fight over the definition of marriage.

E-mail: aadams@ksl.com