WPRO Newsroom
Amidst breaking news Friday in the Boston Marathon bombing case, the Rhode Island Senate announced that they would hold their Judiciary Committee vote on two key pieces of legislation concerning same-sex marriage.
The Judiciary Committee considered the bills in a unprecedented 12-hour hearing last month, and now the Committee will vote on two bills: one that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state, and another that would put the issue to a public vote. They'll also vote on Rep. Arthur Handy's same-sex marriage bill that passed in the House.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Michael McCaffrey, has been vocal about his opposition of same-sex marriage. The Senate has been viewed as a longtime "battleground" for the legislation, which passed overwhelmingly in the House.
Proponents of legalizing marriage equality spent the weekend knocking on doors and making phone calls to homes across the state to rally support.
"We are thrilled to be on the cusp of this critical vote, and do believe we have a path to victory, but are taking nothing for granted," said Ray Sullivan, Rhode Islanders United for Marriage campaign director.
Though there's bound to be a plethora of both supporters and opponents at Tuesday's vote, no further testimony will be heard.
