New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on
Tuesday pledged he would veto a gay marriage bill being considered by
lawmakers, the Star-Ledger reported.
Speaking after a town hall in
Bridgewater, Christie called on lawmakers to put the question before
voters.
“I think this is not an issue that
should rest solely in my hands, or the hands of the Senate president
or the speaker or the other 118 members of the Legislature,” he
said. “Let's let the people of New Jersey decided what is right
for the state.”
Christie said lawmakers should “trust
the people,” as he does.
“I think it's the institution of
marriage and it's bigger than just a word, it's hundreds of years of
tradition both legally and societally and religiously and that's what
I stand up in protecting.” (The video is embedded in the right
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The Senate Judiciary Committee held
hearings on the issue as Christie made his remarks.
The measure's primary sponsor in the
Senate, Democratic Senator Raymond Lesniak, reacted to Christie's
remarks by saying that marriage equality is “a right that's
guaranteed by the Constitution. It's up to us to implement it as
legislators.”