The New Jersey Assembly and Maryland house are expected to pass marriage equality bills today.
Reuters reports:
Bills to permit gay marriage in New Jersey and Maryland face key legislative debates and votes on Thursday, highlighting a hot-button social issue gaining prominence in the election year debate.
In New Jersey, the Assembly takes up the “Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act,” which passed the Senate on Monday. The bill is expected to pass the Democratic-led lower house as well, but faces a promised veto by Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican often talked about as a possible vice presidential candidate.
In Maryland, the House of Delegates will begin debate on the “Civil Marriage Protection Act” sponsored by Gov. Martin O’Malley, a Democrat.
The bill was passed by two House committees on Tuesday, but it remains unclear if O’Malley and his allies have pulled together the 71 votes needed to clear the full House. Comparable legislation failed in the House a year ago when a number of African-American Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the measure.
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