Rep. Schock struggles to explain opposition to same sex marriage

Republican Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois stumbled badly on Thursday after reporters asked him why he didn't support same-sex marriage.

"Uh, well, I — I just haven't," he replied.

"I think everybody has a set of beliefs on issues, social issues in particular, that are a reflection of how they were raised and their set of beliefs," Schock added after being questioned again. "And so, first I would say it is probably more of my upbringing and faith values. So that's number one. Number two, I think we are all a reflection of who we represent, and then third, I think why you are seeing some of these changes in laws is because people's views in society have changed."

Schock, who has served in Congress since 2009, has repeatedly denied he is gay.

Democratic state lawmakers attempted to legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois during the brief "lame duck" session earlier this month, but failed to garner enough support. State Sen. Heather Steans (D), one of the key lawmakers pushing the bill, said the Illinois legislature will likely consider the legislation again in February.

Watch video, uploaded to YouTube by CapitolFax, below: