N.Y. Marriage Equality Senate Hearings Livestream: Watch

In a significant development for the marriage equality bill in New York, Senate majority leader Dean Skelos said Thursday that he would present the measure, including newly amended language for religious exemptions, to his conference to decide whether to schedule a vote.

The announcement, made by Skelos to reporters in the late morning, represented the first major sign this week of movement on the bill, which has been delayed in the Republican-controlled Senate since passing the Democratic-controlled Assembly last week.

Whether or not the marriage equality bill reaches the floor for a vote today is the decision of the Republican senate majority conference. Most of the members oppose the bill, but only one more vote, which must come from a Republican, would be needed for the measure to pass on the floor. The bill passed the Democratic-controlled Assembly last week and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has indicated that the proposed religious exemption amendments would be acceptable to his chamber. The marriage equality bill is expected to be the last item of business before the session adjourns.

Bookmark this page to watch live video from the proceedings. --Julie Bolcer

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