Senate turns down 'gay marriage' ban

Senate turns down
'gay marriage' ban
But GOP supporters point to new votes,
say lawmakers will be held accountable

The Senate rejected a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, but supporters say the measure is gaining ground and today's vote should help energize the Republican base.

The 49-48 tally was 11 short of the 60 needed to hold an up-or-down vote by the full Senate.

A sponsor of the bill, Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., warned opponents will have to answer for their positions.

"People are going to be responsible for this vote," he said. "We are making progress in America on defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman."

Forty-five states have acted to define marriage in traditional terms, as a union between one man and one woman.

But one GOP opponent, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told the Senate he won't support the federal amendment because most Americans "are not yet convinced that their elected representatives or the judiciary are likely to expand decisively the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples."