Democratic lawmakers in New Jersey will
attempt to override Governor Chris Christie's veto of a gay marriage
bill, Democratic Assemblyman Reed Gusciora has said.
After the New Jersey Assembly and
Senate approved the bill last year, Christie, a Republican and a
rising star in the GOP, rejected the measure and called on lawmakers
to go directly to the people.
Gusciora, the openly gay lawmaker who
sponsored the bill in the Assembly, told the Observer.com's
PolitickerNJ
that leaders in both chambers have committed to holding an override
vote before the end of the current legislative term.
When compared to last year's vote on
the measure, three additional votes are needed in the Senate (measure
cleared 24-16) and twelve in the Assembly (42-33) to reach the
two-thirds majority required to override a governor's veto.
Supporters have been lobbying lawmakers
for a year.
“I think we can get the three in the
Senate,” Gusciora said. “But the Assembly is a different story.
I can name five who might switch their vote, but it stops there.”
Citing the need to give Republicans
extra breathing room, Senate President Steve Sweeney has previously
said he would like to wait until after the June primary election
before attempting an override vote.