The New Hampshire House will hold hearings this week on two bills that would repeal the state's one-year-old gay marriage law, the Associated Press reported.

The Judiciary Committee will hold hearings on the bills Thursday. A large crowd is expected.

House Majority Leader David J. “D.J.” Bettencourt has asked the committee to hold the bills until next year, but House rules require the hearings be held this year.

Bettencourt argued that the issue is not part of the House Republican agenda.

His comments raised the ire of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), a group that has won repeal battles in California and Maine. NOM responded by blanketing Bettencourt's district with mailers saying he doesn't support traditional family values.

Bettencourt called the move an “assault on our agenda” in a letter to House Speaker William O'Brien.

In the letter, Bettencourt reiterated his position on the bills: “Therefore, it is my belief that the same-sex marriage repeal must be retained in the Judiciary Committee this year so that our full and undivided attention is focused on New Hampshire's outstanding financial issues.”

Democratic Governor John Lynch has vowed to veto any attempt to repeal the law but Republicans hold veto-proof majorities in both chambers.