New Jersey Governor Christies Promise “Swift Action” In Vetoing Same Sex Marriage Bill Should It Reach His Desk; Calls Passage Of Bill In Senate Monday “Just Theatre”

The state Assembly appears ready to give final approval to the bill legalizing same sex marriage in New Jersey, but Governor Christie promised Tuesday “to take swift action” and veto it. A measure that would grant same sex couples the right to mar­ry passed the Democratic-controlled Senate on Monday. A vote in the Assembly, where Democrats also hold an advantage, is scheduled for Thursday. Democratic leaders say they are confident the bill will also clear the Assembly, but Christie, a Republican, again promised the veto after a State House news conference held to announce an anti­crime initiative, according to North Jersey.com. Christie dismissed Monday’s vote in the Senate as “just theatre,” adding that, “If they pass it on Thursday and send it to my desk, believe me, I will take swift action on the bill and we can move on to the things that the people of New Jersey say are most important to them, which is creating jobs, lowering taxes and continuing the New Jersey comeback.” The same sex marriage bill cleared the Senate by a 24-16 margin, reversing the failed attempt in 2010 where Democratic sponsors could not generate enough support to send the measure to then Governor Jon Corzine. Corzine, a Democrat, said he would have signed such a bill had it cleared the Legislature, at the time also controlled by Democrats. The bill now appears as if it will clear both houses, but head to Christie’s certain veto. And it is unclear whether the sponsors can gather enough votes to override the veto. Christie, citing the unlikelihood of an override, called the legislators’ effort “an act of theatre on their part, because they know it’s not going to happen,” telling reporters, “They know it and I know it.” The Senate vote, said Christie, “was a good bunch of theatre, that’s all it was, just theatre, and they know it. They’re going to be nowhere near the votes to override in either chamber and so hopefully we can then move on from this issue.” But longtime Senator Richard Codey (D-Essex) stressed the importance of the Senate vote during a news conference with activists after Monday’s session. Codey, a former governor, was serving as Senate president in 2010 when the earlier bill failed. “That’s very, very meaningful and should not be forgotten,” Codey said, emphasizing that it was important historically to have that first vote on the record. Even after Monday’s victory, sponsors were working to round up more support, knowing the veto would come. They need 27 votes to override the governor in the Senate. On Monday, the 24 yes votes included two Republicans and 22 Democrats. In 2010, only 14 senators voted in favour of same sex marriage. “We got 24 votes [Monday], that’s 10 more than last time” said Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), adding, “We’ll get there.” Senator Ray Lesniak (D-Union) suggested the vote could become more personal for lawmakers who have close relatives or friends coming forward to press them to allow marriage equality now that the issue is in the headlines. “You never know who’s going to come forward,” Lesniak said. “That can always happen.”