Gov. Mike Pence signs 'religious freedom' bill in private

[darnkatz]

Gov. Mike Pence signs 'religious freedom' bill in private

Gov. Mike Pence signed a controversial "religious freedom" bill on Thursday morning during a private ceremony in his Statehouse office.

Pence almost immediately began defending the law, saying at a news conference that the law was not a consolation prize for conservative groups who failed to pass a bill last year to add an amendment to the Indiana constitution banning same-sex marriage.

"I think there's a lot of misunderstanding," Pence said about the religious freedom law. "This has never undermined anti-discrimination laws."

When asked by one reporter whether sexual orientation should be a protected class, the governor answered that the matter was not on his agenda.

The governor spoke for about 30 minutes about the religious freedom bill during the news conference, which also addressed his temporary needle exchange program to stop an HIV epidemic in Scott County, before it came to an end.

"Today I signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, because I support the freedom of religion for every Hoosier of every faith," he said in a statement. "The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action."

He cited as an example the University of Notre Dame's objection to a provision of the Affordable Care Act requiring insurance coverage for contraceptives.

The measure, Senate Bill 101, could allow business owners to refuse services to same-sex couples and has set off a firestorm of controversy. Supporters say it's needed to protect those with strong religious beliefs from government overreach, but opponents say it would allow discrimination, particularly against gays and lesbians.

Pence has been under intense pressure from opponents. In the past two days, two major Indianapolis conventions have threatened to look elsewhere if Pence signed the bill, and a group of technology executives, including the CEO of Salesforce, have written to the governor to oppose the measure.



But Pence stood firm in his support for the bill. About 75 to 80 people - a mix of supportive lawmakers, religious leaders and conservative lobbyists including Eric Miller - attended the private signing ceremony just before 10 a.m. at the governor's invitation.

"It was a very crowded room. They said it may have been one of the biggest bill signings they ever had," said Micah Clark, who attended the ceremony as a staunch supporter of the legislation and executive director of the American Family Association of Indiana

The event was closed to the public and the press. Members of the media were asked to leave even the waiting area of the governor's office.

The governor's office declined to provide a list of everyone pictured in an official photo of the bill signing.

Pence took issue with accusations that the measure would allow discrimination.

"This bill is not about discrimination, and if I thought it legalized discrimination in any way in Indiana, I would have vetoed it," he said. "In fact, it does not even apply to disputes between private parties unless government action is involved. For more than twenty years, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act has never undermined our nation's anti-discrimination laws, and it will not in Indiana."

Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane, a Democrat, slammed the governor and the Republican-controlled legislature for supporting the bill.

"Although not unexpected, it is still extremely disappointing that Governor Pence endorses this out-of- touch, discriminatory legislation," said Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane in a statement. "Not only is this law unnecessary, it unfortunately has already portrayed our state as intolerant, unfriendly, and backwards; things which I believe most Hoosiers reject."

[eponinepontmercy]

Mar 26, 2015 12:43:48 GMT -5 darnkatz said:

"Today I signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, because I support the freedom of religion for every Hoosier of every faith," he said in a statement. "The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action."

Key word is "FEEL."  They aren't actually under attack, you pandering nitwit.  They think they are because Fox News and republicans keep saying they are.  

[mala]

Oh. My. God.

I feel like crying for the people who are going to have to live with this.

And absolute fucking RAGE that this doesn't "undermine anti-discrimination laws". Fuck that noise.

[thebulldog]

I hate when religion is code for Christian. Bc this is certainly not designed to protect anyone else

ETA: i also hate when stuff like this makes Christians and other main stream religions look like they all support this. Nope.

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

[UMaineTeach]

The event was closed to the public and the press. Members of the media were asked to leave even the waiting area of the governor's office.

The governor's office declined to provide a list of everyone pictured in an official photo of the bill signing.

This speaks volumes. If your actions have an effect on the public and you don't have to courage to stand for your beliefs publicly, maybe you need to reconsider.

[Birdie]

As a Hoosier I have been very stabby today!!!