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New Jersey Marriage Bill Running Out Of Steam

01/01/10-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
The vote in Maine had the effect that the National Organization for Marriage and the Roman Catholic Church had hoped. It frightened the New York and New Jersey Senates from being willing to vote for further marriage equality. By instilling fear of the electorate into the State Senates, they were able to prevent marriage equality from going into two more states. Currently, there are not enough votes in the New Jersey State Senate to advance the legislation before Governor Christie takes office. Christie has vowed to veto any attempt to extend marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples, and argues that civil unions are fine.

Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts has stated regarding further committee debate, I believe ample opportunity has already been given for all views to be heard and additional Assembly committee debate is not needed. I’ve advised the Senate sponsors that, if the bill is passed by the Senate, I am prepared to bring the bill directly to the Assembly floor for a vote before the end of this legislative session.”

Unfortunately, the State Senate is apparently unable to get the twenty-one votes needed to pass the legislation. Without passage in the Senate, the Assembly will not take up the legislation, and without the Assembly pushing the legislation, it is unlikely that the bill will have any momentum to get it moving in the Senate any time soon.

This leaves five states- Vermont, Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut and New Hampshire- along with Washington, DC, with full marriage rights. Washington, DC is still waiting out the thirty day veto period.