What are Largent's politics? He is virulently anti-gay, as are all the Oklahoman congressmen. Largent co-sponsored the Defense of Marriage Act, a measure that denied federal recognition of gay marriage and allowed states to ignore same-sex unions licensed elsewhere, and warned that gay marriage would end American civilization. He wrote a "parental rights" bill that was so anti-government that even his party dismissed it. He is pushing, futilely, to abolish the tax code on Dec. 31, 2001, a measure that would presumably force tax cuts. Largent has made his name by refusing to cooperate: He perennially votes against compromise budget agreements, opposed ending the 1996 government shutdown, and helped spearhead the 1997 coup against Gingrich.