Republican Lawmakers Push Back Against Gay Marriage in Washington

Republican lawmakers in Washington State were quick to challenge Gov. Chris Gregoire's recent push to pass a gay marriage bill, saying it would create an unnecessary distraction.

The Seattle Timesreports that Senate Republican leader Mike Hewitt said dealing with the issue would cause problems because Ed Murray, a gay state senator and also the state's Democratic budget negotiator, was "vested in this personally."

Gregoire disputed claims that the state wouldn't have time to address gay marriage during the upcoming legislative session, which begins Monday.

"To those who say we don't have the time, what will history say when we say, 'Sorry, we had a budget to pass, so we continued to discriminate.' That answer does not work," Gregoire said after a panel on the issue. "This is our test. This is what leadership is about. Now is our time."