New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Thursday that he believes if a gay marriage bill reaches the floor of the Senate,it would pass and New York State would become the next state to adopt marriage equality.
He made the remarks after advocating same-sex marriage among New York State Senate Republicans during a brief meeting in Albany in an effort to let the marriage equality bill come to the floor.
"I still believe if they do vote their hearts and principles, New York State will become the next state to adopt marriage equality," said Bloomberg when meeting the press. "Because based on my conversations with senators, I believe that if the bill comes to the floor, it will pass. And I'm very hopeful that will be any day now."
"This is not an easy issue," he added. "I understand there's a lot of pressure on senators from different sides and a lot of concern about what their constituents will think."
The Marriage Equality Act allows same-sex couples from anywhere in the nation to marry in New York beginning 30 days from passage. The Senate remains deadlocked over the Act, with 31 of the 62 senators saying they would support passage. The Act is supported by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and was approved by the State Assembly Wednesday night.