Rhode Islande senate president expects same-sex marriage vote

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island's Senate president says she anticipates a committee vote on same-sex marriage legislation in the coming session if the House of Representatives passes it.

Teresa Paiva Weed says she remains opposed to same-sex marriage but that if the House approves a bill, she expects it will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

House Speaker Gordon Fox has said he wants to call an early vote on same-sex marriage legislation and that passing it is one of his top priorities.

The House did not vote last year after it became clear the legislation wouldn't pass the Senate. Both chambers passed a civil union law instead that Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY'-fee) signed into law.

Chafee told The Associated Press last week he very much wants to sign a gay-marriage bill.