Bruce Harris, the African-American openly-gay Republican mayor of Chatham in New Jersey, narrowly missed appointment to New Jersey's Supreme Court.

Democrats voted against his nomination citing his lack of courtroom experience and his willingness to recuse himself in court cases dealing with same-sex marriage.

More after the jump.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the Respect for Marriage Act by a 10 - 8 vote along party lines. Details follow.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the Respect For Marriage Act today (the legislation that dismantles the Defense of Marriage Act), a bill that has 30 co-sponsors and is expected to easily pass. Details follow.

Updated Friday, 11:30 a.m. EST

The actual "scheduling" part of Thursday's big DOMA news has (somewhat) arrived. So, in what time frame will Chairman Patrick Leahy and his Senate Judiciary Committee begin hearings on the repeal of DOMA?