ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A top Republican in the New York state Senate expects a long night ahead as lawmakers consider a vote over legalizing gay marriage.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Thomas Libous (LIH’-bus) says it could be after midnight before the Senate wraps up its session. The Senate is considering dozens of bills, but none as closely watched as legislation to make New York the sixth state to legalize gay marriage.
Republicans in charge of the Senate are expected to meet behind closed doors to decide whether to let the full Senate vote on the bill or to kill it. Several amendments are being proposed to better protect religious groups from discrimination lawsuits and to entice Republican senators to send the bill for a full vote.
