The New Jersey Assembly has passed a bill legalizing same-gender marriages, setting the stage for an expected veto by Gov. Chris Christie.
The 41-33 vote Thursday sends the bill to Christie. The Republican governor who opposes same gender marriage had promised “very swift action” if the bill reached his desk.
Christie and most Republican lawmakers want same gender marriage put to a popular vote. Democrats say same gender marriage is a civil right protected by the Constitution and should not be subject to referendum.
The state Senate approved the measure Monday. There, two Republicans voted for it and two Democrats voted against it.
Even if Christie vetoes the bill, legal analysts say they could still file a lawsuit to allow same-gender marriage in the Garden State.
“We are moving toward trial. We’re in what is considered the discovery stage right now,” said deputy legal director of Lambda Legal Haley Gorenberg.
She says she wouldn’t prefer challenging equal protection in court over the current legislation, bus says “that would be the quickest way to end the suffering of the families that we represent.”
But Gorenberg says they’re ready if lawmakers can’t override the governor’s veto.
{CBS Radio Inc./Matzav.com Newscenter}
christie is a gadol (both in his stance to toeva marriage and his waist size)
The cowardly legislators get their wish. They vote for this but Christie vetoes it.