Indiana Governor Mike Pence Signs Revised Religious Freedom Act

image
Created: 02 Apr, 2015
Updated: 21 Nov, 2022
1 min read

It took just 7 days for Indiana Governor Mike Pence to cave to the social and moral pressure to revise the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

“Over the past week this law has become a subject of great misunderstanding and controversy across our state and nation. However we got here, we are where we are, and it is important that our state take action to address the concerns that have been raised and move forward,” said Pence in a statement reported in the Washington Post Thursday evening.

The bill drew criticism nationwide, leading some lawmakers to ban the use of state money to travel to Indiana and some businesses to boycott sales in the state. Critics argued that by giving business owners the legal protection to deny service to someone if providing the service conflicts with their religious beliefs, the law opened the door to legal discrimination.

Read More: ‘Religious Freedom Laws': The Jim Crow Laws of the 21st Century

The revised bill clarifies that private businesses cannot use the RFRA to justify discrimination based on sexual orientation. Pence argues that the intention of the bill was never to allow discrimination and that the changes should calm these fears.

Photo: Charlie Nye, The Indianapolis Star

Latest articles

New Yorkers in a cafe.
Will New Yorkers Vote on Open Primaries This November?
The New York City Charter Revision Commission, convened by Mayor Eric Adams, released a preliminary report last week in which it states it is considering two potential reforms to city primary elections that exclude a fifth of the city's electorate. ...
09 May, 2025
-
3 min read
Dont tread on me flag.
Libertarian Party Chair Warns Party in Danger of 'Full Collapse'
Elections in the US make it all, but impossible for third party and independent candidates to compete in most elections. Still, for several decades there have been established third parties at the national level, including the Libertarian, Green, and Reform Parties....
07 May, 2025
-
2 min read
People shopping
Are Independent Voters Prepared to Ride Out Tariff Uncertainty?
For millions of independent voters, short-term pain isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s unsustainable....
07 May, 2025
-
2 min read