Same-gender marriage moved just one vote shy Tuesday of becoming law in New York as the state’s top Catholic tried to stop it.
Sen. Roy McDonald (R-Saratoga) – in a dramatic reversal from his earlier opposition – became the second GOPer in as many days to give his blessing to same-gender nuptials, bringing Senate support to 31 votes.
Thirty two votes are needed to approve a same-gender marriage bill Gov. Cuomo formally introduced Tuesday.
McDonald’s change of heart came hours after Archbishop Timothy Dolan led a band of religious groups hustling to halt the momentum.
“The stampede is on,” Dolan wrote in a blog post. “Our elected senators who have stood courageous in their refusal to capitulate on the state’s presumption to redefine marriage are reporting unrelenting pressure to cave in.”
Dolan equated the move to allow same-gender marriage to life in China or North Korea, where “government presumes daily to ‘redefine’ rights, relationships, values and natural law.”
“Please, not here!,” Dolan wrote. “We cherish true freedom, not as the license to do whatever we want, but the liberty to do what we ought.”
The opposition from Dolan, other religious groups and conservative political outfits threatening retribution at the ballot box has turned the Senate into a pressure cooker for Republicans.
Multiple sources say they expect the bill to be voted on – and passed – as soon as Friday.
Cuomo finally released the bill he wants passed – which insiders say is another sign the nuptials are gaining steam because he vowed only to go forward if approval was assured.
The bill provides the same legal rights for same-gender couples who marry. And it prohibits local clerks from nixing marriage license applications from same-gender couples.
In hopes of attracting needed Senate GOP votes, Cuomo’s bill offers some exemptions from anti-discrimination laws to religious groups and affiliated organizations.
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12 Responses
We live in a very sick world. Please Daven that this law does not get passed.
“Catholic”, “Archbishop” etc. etc. – – but where are the Jews? isn’t that a Chilul Hashem???!!!
I can see the string of excuses coming forth: “We’re in Golus”, “it’s not our place to interfere with government policy”, etc.
Some how, when it comes to fighting for hand-outs we’re not in Golus. When it comes to building big homes with every stupidity we’re not in Golus, and even angering Goyim around us in all kinds of ways (without getting into the question if it’s right or wrong). All of the sudden, when it comes to this important issue, which will greatly pollute the spiritual level in every corner of our city (look in Chazal…) – “We’re in Golus”…
… because we’ve used up our political pullets on stupidities…
“Same-Gender Marriage Now Just One Vote Shy Of Becoming Law In New York” Just wandering, what happens if you break the law?!?
Shame on Dov Hiking, Shelly Silver, BP so called “ASKONIM”, and bonei oilam….for putting personal gains ahead of Torah Values and ahead of our community’s values…
Dov Hikind just endorsed a pro To’eivah candidate….
Shelly is always on the left (he’s against our schools as well always siding with the unions)and is pro to’eivah.
Bonei Oilam for giving these Junkies a platform….and capitulating to pressure from the so called “ASKONIM”
Why in the world do you guys care so obsessively about this secular legislation and this one particular obomination? It’s civil marriage, for crying out loud, an institution about which itself we should turn up our noses.
I don’t see you tearing your garments violations of Choshen Mishpat, an infirmity that, nebuch, is widespread in segments of the klal…or over shielding abusers…problems that present US with real problems.
The askanim ask for handouts because our communities need them. If we were economically self-sufficient, we’d have more political clout and could use our askanim to promote family values, not beg politicians for welfare checks.
I am sure we are all frightened by the possibility of this legislation passing. For good reason. The more we (and our children) are exposed to something, the less sensitive we come to it. Some practical advice: teach our children that nothing the Torah prohibits can possibly be impossible to overcome (e.g. it’s genetic, etc.). Strengthen our moral stance at home and in the street: if we give the message that it doesn’t really matter how we walk around then how can we possibly convey to our children that the way this element walks around/behaves is categorically wrong? Let our actions speak: if we vote for rights regardless of how senseless or harmful to others they may be, our children (and certainly elected officials) will continue writing and passing such bills.
to all those that think there are more important issues then this:
(1 there is no mitzvah in the torah to get food stamps and money for yeshivos. however gay marriage is a isur d’oraisa and there is nothing more important then torah, EVEN if we loose support on other issues.
(2 to say it will only affect goyim, this is ossur even for a goy. it’s included in the sheva mitzvos bnei noach (see rambam). and it’s our acharayus to make these mitzvos known.
(3 if it becomes legal the you must accept it you’r business will get sued for discrimination ect.
THEREFORE it is a chiyuv for us to do whatever we can to stop it even at the cost of other issues.
“Dov Hikind just endorsed a pro To’eivah”
Hikind in fact has been outspoken in his opposition to his bill. You can’t function as a legislator if you only care about one issue. And Sheldon Silver would be immediately replaced as Speaker if he were to block this bill. Is the frum community willing to give up every single benefit it gets from the government just because of one issue? Why, right now in another news article we are lobbying for government-funded child care!
did sheldon silver vote for or against
Unfortunately, it is not one vote short. 31 is half the State Senate. And as per the New York State Constitution, Article IV,
Ҥ6. The lieutenant-governor shall possess the same qualifications of
eligibility for office as the governor. The lieutenant-governor shall be
the president of the senate but shall have only a casting vote therein.
The lieutenant- governor shall receive for his or her services an annual
salary to be fixed by joint resolution of the senate and assembly.”
Since the Senate is tied, Lt. Gov. Duffy will be able to break the tie.
#10, he voted for.