After asserting they would work through
the night if needed, the New York Senate adjourned on Thursday at
roughly 11PM without a decision on a gay marriage bill.
The Senate is expected to reconvened on
Friday at 10AM.
The Republican-controlled Senate
remains the final hurdle for Governor Andrew Cuomo's plan to make New
York the sixth – and most populous – state to legalize gay
marriage.
Two Republicans have joined all but one
Democrat, Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. of the Bronx, in endorsing the bill,
leaving it deadlocked with a 31-31 vote. It's possible Lt. Governor
Robert Duffy, a surrogate for Governor Cuomo, could break the tie,
but such a move is certain to be challenged in court.
On Wednesday, several sources close to
the GOP Senate caucus confirmed a third Republican vote had been
“secured” for passage of the measure.
While the name of the third Republican
has not been released, Senator James Alesi, who is officially
undecided, on Thursday said he was confident the bill would pass if
brought to the floor for a vote.
“It'll pass,” Alesi
told NBC affiliate WGRZ. “It will definitely pass.”
Meanwhile, demonstrators on both sides
of the issue packed the Senate hallways.
At a gay fundraiser in Manhattan,
President Barack Obama said he supported New York's right to decide
the issue.