FOX44NOW.COM - Burlington/Plattsburgh News, Weather and SportsGay Marriage Supporters Search For Votes to Override Veto
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Less than 12 hours after Vermont's House of Representatives passed a same sex marriage bill Thursday night, lawmakers and lobbyists were busy.
"We're counting votes as I'm sure the other side is," said opponent Steve Cable.
The bill passed through the house Thursday by a vote of 95 to 43.
"Normally you get 95 votes for something like this it's one of the biggest celebrations you'll ever have," said progressive state representative Mark Zuckerman.
But this time the celebrations in Montpelier and around the state have been put on hold because as the vote stands now, supporters don't have enough to override the governor's expected veto.
That's because the house needs a two-thirds majority to override a veto, and why both sides of the issue spent Friday morning working the hallways.
"Thinking about whose possible, talking to them, walk away, giving them time to think," said Zuckerman.
One of those representatives doing a lot of thinking was democratic state representative Sonny Audette.
"I apologize for voting this way, I'm a devout catholic," said Audette.
The 4 term house member plans to change his vote, but not because he's changed his mind about same sex marriage.
"What I'm doing is changing my contempt for the way the governor has treated the house of representatives," he said.
Audette says he's still angry for the way governor Jim Douglas announced his plan to veto the bill before the house had a chance to vote.
That's why Audette says he's willing to change, even though he knows he could end up being the one vote that ultimately passes the bill he morally opposes.
"I hope it doesn't come down to that, if it does, I've got some more thinking to do," saaid Audette.
The bill is expected to reach the governor's desk Monday.
