By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
A vote on the same-sex marriage bill was delayed again on Tuesday, despite repeated calls by politicians and gay rights advocates to bring the legislation to a vote in the State Senate.
The Senate was called to order about noon and after roll call was completed, the senators passed a resolution honoring veterans.
Sen. Eric Adams made a point of mentioning the same-sex marriage bill while voicing his support of the resolution, saying there is “no greater honor we can give to our veterans than to insure that Americans have the equal right to marry.”
The senators then broke, while the governor's office printed up the bills to be considered during the extraordinary session.
The Senate is not expected to take up any meaningul legislation before the end of the day, and it is unlcear when — or if — the bill will be brought to the floor.
A confluence of factors continues to impede the bill.
Senators, such as Democrat Carl Krueger (27th District) feel it is inappropriate to bring the bill to a vote when the state is in fiscal crisis and the sentators must make decisions on budget cuts.
Krueger told NY1 that he was undecided on the issue of gay marriage, but that the focus needs to stay on the budget.
Media reports indicate that the Democrats, who hold only a slim majority, do not have the votes necessary to pass the bill.
And Sen. Pedro Espada has said that he wants to hitch another controversial bill to the gay marriage proposal — farm workers’ rights legislation — which could cause further trouble for Democrats trying to get the bill on the floor.
Still, local politicians are continuing their lobbying efforts on behalf of the bill, which has already passed twice in the Assembly.
City Councilman Bill de Blasio issued a statement Tuesday afternoon saying, "There have been too many times in our history where our
government has been complacent in the face of discrimination. This is
a moment when we must demand that every adult should have the right to marriage regardless of their sexual orientation.”
Mayor Michael Bloomberg sent a letter to state senators Monday night, urging them to bring the bill to the table and vote "yes."
"The time has come for the State Senate to have an open debate on this issue — and to hold an up-or-down vote," the mayor wrote in the letter to senators procured by the Daily News.
"That's Democracy."
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is openly gay, voiced her support of the bill in an emotional statement Monday and attended a vigil for marriage equality in Union Square that evening.
"I don't know what will happen tomorrow, but positive things are happening in Albany," Quinn told the crowd assembled in Union Square, assuring everyone that one day, "We will have the most fabulous weddings."
