A proposed constitutional amendment to declare English as the "official language of Georgia" failed in the Georgia House Tuesday.

House Resolution 413 needed 120 yes votes to clear the chamber and head to the Senate. Only 103 House members voted for the measure, while 61 representatives voted against it. The measure failed after nearly an hour of debate. Supporters, including the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica) argued that the bill had been misinterpreted by critics.

Opponents warned the proposed constitutional amendment, if enacted, could create a host of unintended consequences. They also said the proposal was unnecessary because English has already been designated the state's official language. Some criticized it as an election-year stunt. "I would like to think the General Assembly is anxious to speak with constituents and share our victories in addressing the water crisis, helping families keep their homes, spurring economic growth, providing health care coverage for children of working families, improving our educational performance," said state Rep. Pedro Marin (D-Duluth), "... instead of wasting our time on cheap symbolism and dime store legislation."

After the vote, Bearden immediately called on House colleagues to reconsider the issue. A vote on whether the bill should be revived is scheduled to take place Wednesday. "We not doing something new or something that's evil here," Bearden said. "We're just trying to say that English will be the official language of this state."