Uncertain Future for Same-Sex Marriage Bill in New Jersey

MYFOXNY.COM - Voting on the same-sex marriage bill in the New Jersey Senate was canceled Thursday, because the bill got pulled at the last minute. But that didn't stop both sides of the issue from lobbying for their cause.

Opponents of the bill that would legalize marriage for same-sex couples consider it a small victory that the bill was pulled. The New Jersey Family Policy Council says gay marriage supporters just didn't have the votes to get the measure passed.

Steven Goldstein of Garden State Equality, a group that supports marriage for same-sex couples, is strategizing with his volunteers on how to keep the pressure on and swing support their way. But time is short because the lame-duck session ends January 11 and Gov.-elect Chris Christie, who said he would veto the bill, takes office soon after.

The bill now rests with the Assembly speaker, who can call for the issue to be reviewed by the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The earliest that would happen is January 4, barring an emergency committee hearing.