"New York confirms" same-sex marriage, Leach said. "Now, 19 million more Americans will live in equality. One of the most important things that happens when same-sex couples can get married is nothing. There is no adverse impact on anyone."

Leach, who sits on the judiciary committee and has introduced his own bill to legalize same-sex marriage, said his colleagues were moving slowly in that direction.

"Three years ago, the proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage passed Senate judiciary by a vote of 10-4. Last year, it lost 8-6."