Breaking: Mike Pence Calls For Bill To State ‘Religious Freedom’ Law Does Not Discriminate

Video: In a painful and lengthy press conference Tuesday morning, Gov. Mike Pence dug in to save his controversial “religious freedom” bill but called for legislation to “clarify” it. 

Governor Mike Pence is in full damage-control mode. He delivered an embarrassing interview performance on Sunday’s ABC News “This Week,” penned a Wall Street Journal op-ed that ran Tuesday morning, gave another interview this morning over at Fox News, and late this morning held a lengthy, painful press conference that lasted over 40 minutes.

The 55-year old Republican evangelical Christian refused to call for the repeal of his anti-gay “religious freedom” law, but during the press conference he called for legislation to come to his desk this week that would clarify the intent of the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act is not to allow discrimination.

The Governor refused in his presser to give thought to a statewide nondiscrimination law to protect the LGBT community.

“After much reflection and in consultation with leadership of the General Assembly, I’ve come to the conclusion that it would be helpful to move legislation this week that makes it clear that this law does not give businesses the right to deny services to anyone,” Pence said at this morning’s press conference. “Let me say that again. I think it would be helpful and I’d like to see on my desk before the end of this week legislation that is added to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that makes it clear that this law does not deny services against anyone.”

Pence claimed acting against discrimination has been an “anthem” for his entire life. He gave several examples of his fight for African-American civil rights, and said he believes no one should be discriminated against.

He summed up the current firestorm as merely “a perception problem.” he also lashed out at the media, falsely claiming that much of the reporting early on was misleading and false.

Here’s a partial video of the press conference. This report will be updated with the full video when it is available.

 

Related:

Jeb Bush: Americans Don’t Know ‘The Facts’ On Indiana ‘Religious Freedom’ Law

Ted Cruz Fundraising Off His Just-Released Statement On Indiana Anti-Gay ‘Religious Freedom’ Law

‘FIX THIS NOW’ Indy Star Editorial Says Indiana Is In ‘A State Of Crisis’

 

Image: Screenshot via NBC News
Transcript via Talking Points Memo