Same-sex marriage veto override will come Tuesday

Even before the bill has been formally approved, votes have been scheduled on whether to override a veto of the same-sex marriage bill.

Legislative leaders say the vote in the Senate will come Tuesday at 9 a.m. and the House will take up the question an hour later.

The House is scheduled to take a final vote this afternoon on the bill that would permit same-sex couples to marry.

The bill has a few differences from the version that passed the Senate last week. So senators will meet Monday at 5 p.m. and are likely to concur with the changes.

Legislative staff say the bill will be immediately taken to Governor Jim Douglas, who has promised to veto it immediately and send it back to the Senate.

That will allow the votes on Tuesday morning. To override a veto, lawmakers need two-thirds of those voting to go along. The Senate passed the bill by 26-4, well more than enough. But the House vote last night was 95-52, shy of what's needed.

Legislative leaders say they think some lawmakers will change their vote on the override.