Oregon bill grants ‘reciprocal benefits’

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon House of Representatives killed a same-sex civil unions bill that had passed the state’s Senate, The Oregonian newspaper reported. A House committee gutted the bill July 21 and, in its place, voted to add “reciprocal benefits” language that would give limited benefits to any two people who cannot get married — for example, same-sex couples, two sisters and two brothers, etc.  It had passed the Senate by a vote of 19–10.  (TAB)