New York Marriage Vote: PASSES TONIGHT
[FOLLOW UP: Read “A Singular Sensation,” Metro Weekly’s full report on tonight’s vote and bill-signing.]
Following developments late this afternoon surrounding the religious exemption language in New York’s proposed marriage equality bill, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R) has said a vote on the bill will happen this evening in the Senate.
Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari (D), according to reports, has said that his chamber is ready to pass the bill again this evening with the religious amendments agreed to today.
[UPDATE: The Assembly has overwhelmingly approved — on an 82-47 vote — the religious exemption amendments to the bill that were agreed to by leaders in the House and Senate and Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) earlier today.]
The Senate vote is expected to happen later tonight, with some sources saying about 11 p.m. [– any time now, as of 9:30 p.m.] As has been seen many times throughout this process, though, the legislature of New York — and particularly the Senate — is unpredictable.
When it does happen, however, come back here for the latest developments.
9:30: The Senate begins consideration of Assembly bills, include the marriage equality bill.
9:40: Sen. Stephen Saland (R) is describing — in great detail — the changed religious exemption amendments, already approved by Assembly. He is, per Gannett News, the 32nd yes vote for the bill.
“As our parents told me, always to do the right thing. My intellectual and emotional journey has ended here.”
Saland is a yes. He is the 32nd — majority — vote for the bill.
9:50: The roll is called on the religious exemption amendments. But, Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr. (D) — the sole Democrat to oppose the bill — speaks, as does Sen. Kemp Hannon (R), who is voting for the religious exemption amendment, but will vote against the full bill.
The amendments pass, 36-26.
9:55: The full bill is called up.
Diaz, again, speaks in opposition.
10:03: Sen. Thomas Duane (D) — openly gay — is speaking: “Marriage says that we are a family. Louis and I are a family.”
10:12: Sen. Mark Grisanti (R): “I am not here as only a Catholic. … I cannot legally come up with an argument against same-sex marriage.”
“I cannot deny a person, a human being, a worker … the same rights I have with my wife. … I vote in the affirmative, Mr. President.”
That is a 33rd vote.
10:17: The Senate president calls a brief recess to confer with Skelos.
10:25: Sen. Carl Kruger (D) speaks about the difference between today’s bill and the marriage bill he voted no on previously. “I vote yes.”
10:29: Marriage equality passes the New York Senate on a 33-29 vote.
10:30: The bill now goes to Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), who will sign it. It will then take effect in 30 days.
FIN.
UPDATE @ 12:30 AM JUNE 25: Read “A Singular Sensation,” Metro Weekly’s full report on tonight’s vote — and bill-signing.
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