New Jersey same-sex marriage vote put off

Proponents of  same-sex marriage began 2009 with a string of victories in Iowa and three New England states but have since suffered losses in Maine and New York.

Supporters of this initiative of the so-called same-sex marriage suffered another setback in New Jersey when a much-anticipated vote on the issue in the New Jersey Senate was canceled.

Backers of same-sex marriage began 2009 with a string of victories in Iowa and three New England states but have since suffered losses in Maine and New York.

Political pundits in New Jersey indicate that the reason is the possible lack of support of the same-sex marriage proponent.

Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, which opposes the bill, told Baptist Press: “The reason they delayed the vote was because they didn’t have the votes. If they had had the votes they would have posted the bill.”

The vote was scheduled to take place Thursday, three days after the bill squeaked through a committee.

The primary sponsors, Democratic state Senators Loretta Weinberg and Raymond Lesniak, requested the delay the night before, saying they wanted to see it voted on in the Assembly first.

The New Jersey bill now advances to the six-member Assembly Judiciary Committee but has not been scheduled for a vote and may not be considered until early January, if at all, when committees are next scheduled to meet.

Democrats hold a 4-2 edge on the panel. Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr., who supports the bill and will determine if and when it is heard, released a statement saying he was disappointed the vote was delayed but understand the reasoning.

Supporters are rushing to get the bill to the desk of Democratic Governor Jon Corzine before he leaves office January 19, 2010.

Corzine supports the bill but his successor, Republican Chris Christie, opposes it. Loretta Weinberg was Corzine’s running mate in his failed bid for a second term.

Supporters of the bill now likely will try to attract votes by adding language to the bill supposedly protecting religious liberty — something that the Senate committee did.

If gay marriage is defeated in New Jersey following losses in Maine and New York, Brown said, it could have a major impact on conservative-leaning states — such as Iowa and New Hampshire — where gay marriage is legal.

Pro-family groups are working to elect like-minded legislators in those states in 2010 to reverse the state’s new marriage laws.

The Americano / Agencies