TRENTON – While Speaker Vincent Prieto sat on the rostrum in apparent defeat, Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) entered the chamber, walked down and shook the hand of Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-22), then retired behind closed doors with Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-6).

A longtime Sweeney ally, Green abstained on the budget, unlike his fellow Union County Democrat, Assemblyman Jamel Holley (D-20), who voted yes.

There was an awkward moment as reporters approached Sweeney to try to talk to him and the imposing senate president stood in the well of the assembly, assuming a command and control position in the quieted room.

Prieto looked up.

Then Sweeney and Greenwald retired.

The room again swarmed with activity, and at that point, reporters began making their way to the rostrum to make inquiries of the speaker, who remained in his chair.

A short time later, Prieto retired from the chamber and Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-35) took his place.

When the speaker returned, Sweeney again appeared and approached the rostrum from the rear. The two leaders spoke briefly, then Sweeney again surveyed the chamber before turning on his heel and leaving, a trail of reporters behind him.