NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Measures like this one have been approved four times on the Assembly's floor, with this one passing 80-63, the smallest margin yet for such a bill. Now, the bill heads to the state Senate, where the topic is a hot button issue.

From the New York Daily News:

The fate of the bill is still up in the air in the GOP-controlled Senate, where 31 senators are on record as supporting it - one shy of the 32 needed for passage.

Senate Republicans discussed the issue behind closed doors for four hours Wednesday. Saying they were unable to decide how to proceed, they are scheduled to continue the talks today.

Just two of the 32-member GOP conference publicly support legalizing gay marriage. Four others are on the fence.

Sources said those who oppose the bill were split over what the Senate should do.

A bill like this last entered the Senate in 2009, where it failed. After their summit today, Senate Republicans said they have yet to reach a decision.

"We've had a tremendous conference, a thoughtful conference, discussing the issue of marriage equality," Skelos said, with Senate Deputy Leader Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton, at his side. "Discussions are going to continue."

The vote in the Senate is expected to happen Thursday or Friday.