JOHNSTON - Iowa's Republican legislative leaders vowed Friday to push the volatile issue of same-sex marriage in the upcoming session, arguing it's a solid way for them to cut into Democratic majorities in the Legislature.

''I don't think there's any question that the hottest issue in that realm right now is the question of how you define marriage,'' said House Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha. ''I don't think there's any question that Iowans believe they should have the opportunity to resolve the split between the Legislature and what it says in the code of Iowa and what the Supreme Court has decided.''

Senate Majority Leader Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, agreed that the issue can be a winner for Republicans.

''It is an important issue and it contributes to the sense that government is out of control,'' McKinley said.

The two GOP leaders spoke during a taping of Iowa Public Television's ''Iowa Press'' program airing later in the weekend.

While Republicans are free to raise the marriage issue, their chances of accomplishing something appear slim.

Democrats control both chambers of the Legislature by lopsided margins and Democratic leaders have ruled out a debate on the issue, saying they want to focus on a looming budget shortfall in what is projected to be a shortened session that could end by March.

Democrats control the House by a 56-44 margin, and the Senate by a lopsided 32-18 edge.

Both House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, and Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, have reinforced that focus. McKinley conceded Republicans are unlikely to overcome that, but said the issue can energize voters.

''To have Mike Gronstal and Pat Murphy stand in the way of Iowans having a vote on this issue is unconscionable,'' said McKinley. ''We'll certainly give the Democrats the opportunity to do the right thing and side with the people of Iowa.''

The Supreme Court last spring struck down a state law defining marriage as being between one man and one woman, ruling it denied same-sex couples equal protection under the state's constitution.

That decision left lawmakers with few options. Overturning that decision would require amending the state's constitution, and that's a lengthy process requiring a vote of the electorate.

To put the issue on the ballot, a resolution would have to be approved in two consecutive General Assemblies. If the next Legislature doesn't act, that resolution would have to be approved in the General Assembly seated in 2011 and the General Assembly seated in 2013.

That means the earliest the issue could go on the ballot would be the 2014 general election.

Paulsen said Republicans will push the issue well ahead of that timetable.

''There's no question that Republicans are ready to give them the opportunity to vote,'' he said.