Shea Andersen: At the Roundhouse

In for the long haul today

As I write the House has begun its debate on the repeal of the death penalty in New Mexico. The sponsor of House Bill 576 is Rep. Gail Beam, an Albuquerque Democrat.

I'd say make yourselves comfortable, anyone who intends to watch or listen to the debate. I've gotten word that House Republicans are likely to ask for a "call" of the House, meaning that they cannot vote until all members of the House are present and accounted for. So far there are a couple of members missing.

We'll see. Beam had 34 co-sponsors (beside herself) going into this thing, and maybe a few more supporters. That's just half of the 70-member House.
In a mess like this every vote will be needed, so if she allowed the measure to go ahead today, she must be confident of a few more votes. The measure was supposed to be heard on the House floor over the weekend, but they held off, possibly sensing a vote gap.

One thing's for sure; you'll get your Scripture fix today. The death penalty is a debate that tends to bring out opposing Bible quotes.