Pence: ‘We’re not going to change the law’
(Under Rachel Illingworth)
Staff Reports – INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Governor Mike Pence stated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act was put in place to keep the government from impinging on personal religious beliefs.
Pence made an appearance on “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” on ABC Sunday morning to clarify the RFRA.
During the interview, George Stephanopoulos asked Pence if he thought it was a mistake to sign the law, after seeing the backlash online. Pence stated, “absolutely not.”
He went on to state that many other states have the Religious Freedom law, that it was put in place over 20 years ago by President Bill Clinton to allow individuals religious liberties.
Stephanopoulos went on to ask Pence three times if the law allowed discrimination of gays and lesbians.
Pence said, “Tolerance is a two-way street.”
The governor went on to say that he did not intend to change the law but would look at any amendments the Indiana General Assembly might send his way.
He said that his intention with signing the law was to protect the liberty of every Hoosier from government overreach.
“Hoosier hospitality is not a slogan, it’s a reality,” stated Pence.
“I think the governor needs to answer the question,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody. “George Stephanopoulos asked him more than five times – does he think it should be legal for gays and lesbians to be discriminated against here in Indiana?’ and he wouldn’t answer the question ‘yes’ or ‘no.’”
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