Rhode Island: Senate panel approves marriage equality, bill moves to full Senate tomorrow

Rhode Island: Senate panel approves marriage equality, bill moves to full Senate tomorrow

The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-4 today to pass a marriage equality bill.

The Senate bill would allow gay weddings in Rhode Island beginning on Aug. 1.

The full chamber of 38 senators will vote on the same-sex marriage bill Wednesday during a session at 4pm.

Democrats hold a 32-5 majority in the Senate, although three of the party’s leaders – Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed of Newport, Majority Leader Ruggerio and Judiciary Committee Chairman McCaffrey of Warwick – are all opposed to gay marriage.

By contrast, the Senate’s five-member Republican caucus announced their unanimous support for the same-sex marriage legislation earlier Tuesday. The top Republican in the lower chamber, House Minority Leader Brian Newberry, also voted in favor of same-sex marriage in January.

(via WPRI)