COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The House easily agreed Tuesday to change South Carolina's Constitution to deny the recognition of same-sex marriages from other states.

The legislation is intended to "bolster and strengthen the defense of traditional marriage and defend traditional values in South Carolina," said Rep. Greg Delleney, R-Chester.

Sixteen other states already have changed their constitutions to define marriage, Delleney said. South Carolina and 10 other states now are doing so, he said.

The Constitution would have a section added that says marriage is "exclusively defined as a union between one man and one woman." The amendment would void all other types of unions, including those recognized in other states.

The legislation won second reading with a 96-3 vote, well above the two-thirds majority needed for approval. The House will give routine third reading to the bill Wednesday.