NY Marriage Equality: Is GOP Majority Leader Skelos Holding Up The Bill?

Is New York State Senate GOP Majority Leader Dean Skelos — the one person in the entire world who has the ultimate power to allow a bill to go to the floor for a vote in the New York State Senate — holding up Governor Cuomo’s same-sex marriage equality bill?

Skelos, a Republican, has said for the past few weeks that the ultimate decision rests with the Republicans in the Senate. But does that statement just give Skelos cover?

READ: NY Marriage Equality: Republican Senator Voting Yes Issues Major Warning

Reportedly, as of early Wednesday evening, there are 32 votes in favor of the bill, which would mean the bill would pass — if Skelos were to allow a vote — and same-sex marriage would become the law of the land.

Additionally, at about 11:30 AM Thursday, Skelos emerged from a long meeting with Governor Cuomo, only to say it’s up to his Republican conference to bring the bill to the floor or not, and hinted if they decide to, it could be, according to Capitol Confidential, on Friday, in middle of the night, or not at all.

Moments ago, the New York Times Albany Bureau Chief, Danny Hakim tweeted, “Skelos: senate repubs will conf #gaymarriage today.”

That’s a start. But in that meeting, they can easily say no to bringing the bill to the floor for a vote.

Which is a problem, as we know Skelos is against passage.

For over a week the Senate has been talking about religious exemption language. Yesterday afternoon, Assembly Speaker Silver called the draft of the new language “acceptable.” Why hasn’t Skelos said the same, and has Skelos even shared the draft with his fellow Republicans? Senator Ball claimed yesterday he had not seen it.

If you haven’t, now is definitely the time to contact Senator Skelos and ask him to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Heck, even Senator Ball thinks the bill deserves a vote. So does Long.

Email address: skelos@nysenate.gov