ST. PAUL — The Minnesota House has rejected a civil union alternative to gay marriage.

The House is debating the bill to legalize gay marriage Thursday. A handful of Republicans and Democrats moved to swap all references to marriage in state statute for the term civil unions, which would have applied to both straight and gay couples.

That amendment failed with only 22 members in favor and 111 against. Gay marriage supporters say civil unions are inferior to marriage. The House has now finished the amendment process and entered final debate on the bill.

If the House passes the bill, it heads next to the Senate. Gov. Mark Dayton says he’ll sign the bill.