New Jersey's State Senate passed a bill legalizing gay marriage on Monday, despite the fact that Governor Chris Christie promised to veto the legislation. The Senate voted 24 to 16 in favor of the same-sex marriage bill, which is expected to be approved by the state Assembly on Thursday.

The Senate's move comes just after Washington state Governor Christine Gregoire signed a bill making Washington the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage on Monday. However, the same outcome is unlikely for New Jersey since the bill will need to be approved by Republican governor and potential vice-presidential candidate Chris Christie. The Democratic-controlled legislature will need a two-thirds majority vote, or 27 votes, to override Christie's anticipated veto. 

"The word marriage is society's universal civil and legal acknowledgment of a loving relationship," said Senator Loretta Weinberg, the bill's sponsor, during the debate according to Reuters. "It's time for New Jersey to get on the right side of history and enact true marriage equality for every one of our residents."

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