Marriage vote unlikely as lawmakers await rulings

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana's legislative leaders are casting doubt on the prospects of taking up a gay marriage ban this year.

Republican Senate President Pro Tem David Long and Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma said Thursday that they expect to make a final decision after consulting with their respective caucuses next week.

Their statements follow on reports from the Evansville Courier and Press that a majority of lawmakers on the House and Senate panels that would vet the ban want to wait until next year.

Lawmakers have until next year to consider putting the marriage ban before voters under the state's constitutional amendment process. Long has asked state lawyers to review how the pending cases before the U.S. Supreme Court could affect Indiana.