Updated

Mexico's House of Representatives has voted to amend social security rules to include medical and social benefits for same-sex couples.

The vote Tuesday was 232 in favor and 58 against. The measure now goes to the Senate for debate.

The amendment deals with the Social Security Institute, which provides benefits to employees of private companies, and with a benefits program for government employees.

The vote comes amid a debate among Mexicans over gay marriage that intensified after Mexico City's local legislature enacted a law last December allowing same-sex couples in the capital to marry and adopt children.