POLITICS

Obama administration disses Pence 'religious freedom' law

Maureen Groppe Star Washington bureau

WASHINGTON – Indiana's new religious freedom law is not a step toward equality and justice for all, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Friday.

Asked at his daily briefing with reporters what President Barack Obama thinks of the law, Earnest said he hasn't spoken to Obama about it.

But he noted that some businesses and organizations, including the NCAA, have said they're reconsidering whether to do business in Indiana after Gov. Mike Pence signed the bill into law Thursday.

Although the law does not mention sexual orientation, opponents fear it could allow business owners to deny services to gays and lesbians for religious reasons.

"I think that is a testament to the kind of reaction I think a lot of people all across the country had, which is that the signing of this bill certainly doesn't seem like it's a step in the direction of equality and justice and liberty for all Americans," Earnest said. "And again, that's not just the view of the administration, I know that's the view of the Republican mayor of Indianapolis and a whole host of non-profit and private sector companies who have legitimate concerns about the impact of this legislation."

The law prohibits state or local governments from substantially burdening a person's ability to exercise their religion — unless the government can show it has a compelling interest and that the action is the least-restrictive means of achieving it. Earnest said businesses are concerned whether all their employees will be treated fairly in Indiana.