Gay marriage bill delivered to NJ governor


February 17, 2012 at 12:57p.m.

Gay marriage bill delivered to NJ governor

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New Jersey has been delivered to Gov. Chris Christie, who has vowed to veto it.

Assembly spokesman Tom Hester says the bill was delivered to Christie’s office by the Assembly clerk’s office this morning, a day after the chamber approved it 42-33. The Senate passed the gay marriage proposal on Monday.

Christie is a Republican who opposes gay marriage. He has vowed “very swift action” once the bill reached his desk.

He and most Republican lawmakers want the issue decided by public vote.

Democrats maintain that gay marriage is a civil right protected by the Constitution and isn’t subject to popular vote.

Six states and Washington, D.C., allow gay marriage. Washington state’s new gay marriage law is set to go into effect in June.