May 21, 2015 4:57 PM

Updated: So-called Pastor Protection Act overwhelmingly passes House with Democratic support

Democrats steal the thunder of conservatives hoping for a banner win on gay marriage

Near the close of a session that saw around 20 anti-LGBT bills fail, the so-called “Pastor Protection Act” was supposed to be conservative lawmakers’ one success on this front. It isn’t a very big prize—SB 2065 merely affirms, perhaps superfluously, that churches and clergy can’t be forced to perform unions that violate their religious beliefs, aka “gay ones”—but they won it by a landslide.

After about 45 minutes of passionate discussion, the Texas House approved the bill Thursday afternoon 141 to 2, with no amendments. After final House approval it will go to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.

But the flavor of that discussion may have stolen a little sweetness from that win for Republicans, at least for its author state Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, and House sponsor, Rep. Scott Sanford, R-McKinney.

By Emily DePrang