We’ve never passed a perfect bill. 

             When I explained to the Democratic Caucus why all amendments to the marriage equality bill had to be rejected, that’s how I began. 

            Adopting any change now would kill the legislation because the Senate will not take it up again this session.  This isn’t the first time we’ve been in this “take it or leave it” situation. 

            When abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and death penalty bills reached the House floor after surviving Senate filibusters, I had to deliver the same message. 

            (The House has returned the favor on slots legislation.) 

            The first three amendments offered on the House floor were defeated by 20-vote margins. 

            However, the debate on the next amendment prompted my seatmate, Delegate McIntosh, and me to think that this vote would be close. 

             So I was all set to rise and explain my vote, buying time for our whips to speak to those delegates who had yet to vote.  Before I could be recognized, the Speaker intoned, “The Clerk will take the call.” 

             The amendment failed, 63-72, a nine-vote difference. 

              When we looked at the print copy of the roll call to see who had switched sides, one name was conspicuous.  Mine.

               In my eagerness to speak, I had forgotten to vote.

March 9