Controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act Easily Passes House

The House Monday approved a bill that supporters call a shield protecting people of faith. Opponents call the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a license to discriminate.

RFRA creates a judicial test for Indiana courts that ensures a government can only restrict religious practices if it has a compelling reason and does so in the least restrictive way.  Supporters, such as Inglefield Republican Rep. Tom Washburne, say the bill helps ensure Hoosiers live in harmony with each other.

“It’s important that we allow our citizens who hold religious beliefs – and maybe even those that we would be appalled by – to be able to express those,” Washburne said.

But opponents such as House Minority Leader Scott Pelath say the impetus for the bill – that people of faith are being persecuted – is a made up issue.

“It’s an issue made up for the purpose of being able to go in front of a few Indiana citizens and thump your chest that you stood up for certain social causes,” Pelath said.

Pelath says the real fear should be that RFRA will be used to discriminate against some Hoosiers, particularly those in the LGBT community. 

The bill passed 63 to 31 mostly along party lines, with five Republicans joining Democrats in opposition.

Gov. Mike Pence released a statement, applauding lawmakers for their work on a bill he says is about "respecting and reassuring Hoosiers that their religious freedoms are intact."  He says he plans to sign the bill once it reaches his desk.