NJ Senate Passes Gay Marriage Bill
The New Jersey Senate passed S-1, “The Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act,” on a 24-16 vote, according to Poltickernj.
Republican Senators Jennifer Beck and Diane Allen crossed the aisle to vote “YES” on the bill that the Democratic legislative leadership declared was their top priority of the year. Democratic Senators Jeff Van Drew and Ronald Rice voted “NO” with the Republican caucus.
The Assembly is scheduled to vote on the bill on Thursday.
Monmouth County Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon will be absent for the vote on Thursday as he will be traveling to attend Beck’s wedding. Beck is getting married, to a man, Highlands restaurateur Danny Shields, on Sunday February 18th. O’Scanlon told MMM that he is not ducking the issue, though he has not yet decided how he will vote should the bill come before the legislature for a veto override.
Governor Christie has said he will veto the bill and that he wants the issue put to referendum in November.
Posted: February 13th, 2012 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Marriage Equality | Tags: Danny Shields, Declan O'Scanlon, Diane Allen, Gay Marriage, Jeff Van Drew, Jennifer Beck, Marriage Equality and Religious Excemptions Act, Ronald Rice | 8 Comments »