Now There Are 3 Republican Senators Who Support Gay Marriage

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http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/06/now-there-are-3-republican-senators-who-support-gay-marriage/277021/



In March, Rob Portman of Ohio became the only sitting Republican senator to come out in favor of gay marriage. Then, in April, he was joined by Mark Kirk of Illinois. On Wednesday, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska became the third, announcing her position in a local television interview and press statement.

Of the three, Murkowski represents by far the reddest state: 55 percent of Alaskans voted for Mitt Romney in 2012, whereas Ohio (narrowly) and Illinois (overwhelmingly) went for Barack Obama. Taken together, the three senators' switches represent the increasingly bipartisan momentum for gay marriage in American public opinion. An ABC News/Washington Post poll this month found 57 percent of Americans in favor of making gay marriage legal, and 10 of 11 national polls on the subject this year have found more Americans support than oppose the idea.

The senators' positions could have real consequences: A bill to repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act could come to a vote as soon as this year, according to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. At an event hosted by the center-left think tank Third Way on Tuesday, the New York Democrat said such a bill was "very close to the 60 votes we need, closer than people think." She named Murkowski and Senator Susan Collins of Maine as potential swing votes, adding, "There are a few other [Republicans] we're working with, but I won't out them."

[RKP5637]

1. K&R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t