Rhode Island could become 10th state to allow same-sex marriage

New England's gay marriage holdout may soon join the rest of the region in allowing same-sex unions.

Rhode Island senators are expected to vote on a measure as early as Wednesday, making the state the 10th in the nation to allow same-sex marriage. A similar bill has already passed the House.

Interestingly, every single Republican senator in the state has pledged his or her support for gay marriage, making the five members the first legislative caucus of either party to unanimously sign on to same-sex marriage in any state. Democrats have traditionally led the charge for legalizing gay marriage in other states.

The state is the last in New England to bar same-sex marriage.

The New York Times notes that same-sex marriage could also pass this year in Delaware, Illinois and Minnesota, where lawmakers are actively considering bills.

The Supreme Court is expected to decide in June whether the federal government must recognize same-sex marriages for tax and other legal purposes, or whether it can continue to ignore them under the Defense of Marriage Act.