Wash. Senate set to vote on gay marriage bill

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Senate is set to vote on a measure to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington state.

The Senate Rules Committee voted Tuesday to move the bill to a Wednesday floor vote after Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, who is president of the Senate, pulled the bill for advancement.

The committee advanced the bill on a 14-7 vote, with six of the seven Republicans on the committee voting no.

The bill is not expected to come up for a vote until late afternoon or early evening on Wednesday. It is expected to pass in the Senate by at least 25 votes, the number needed for approval.

If passed by the Senate, the measure moves to the House, which also has enough votes to pass the bill.