Mike Johnson Releases Video Defending His Marriage And Conscience Bill

The video is well-done, but it’s too long. He pointed to specific examples of small business owners being fined for refusing to provide services to gay weddings. Johnson also points out that the U.S. Solicitor General threatened to go after the tax-exempt status of supporters of traditional marriage if gay marriage is made the law of the land.

Johnson also announced that he will amend his bill, again, after discussions with critics.

The current version of the bill lists seven types of action the state is barred from taking against a business whose owner expresses a “sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction” that marriage is between a man and woman.

Pulling an organization’s nonprofit status or professional certification are two examples. The last of those types of action — the one he plans to cut — is non-specific. It’s the part that reads: “(…or) otherwise discriminate against or disadvantage such person.”

After talking with several critics of the bill, including advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, Johnson acknowledged a concern the broad phrase could open up the proposed law for abuse.

 

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