ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The Maryland Senate is set to debate and vote on a bill that would legalize gay marriage.
After a request by Republicans to delay the measure, discussion is expected to begin Thursday morning.
Debate comes less than a week after the House of Delegates barely passed the bill.
Last year, the Senate passed a similar proposal 25-21 and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said the vote is not expected to change.
Passing the measure would put Maryland on track to be the eighth state to legalize same-sex unions when Gov. Martin O'Malley signs the bill.
Opponents have vowed to bring it to voters with a referendum on the November ballot. They can begin collecting the more than 55,000 signatures needed to do so once the bill passes both chambers.