Gov. Jindal and family

After legislators in the state of Louisiana caved to outside pressure opposing a religious freedom bill, Governor Bobby Jindal issued a statement saying he intends to issue an executive order to enforce the intent of the bill.

The Times-Picayune is reporting on the actions of the Louisiana House Civil Law and Procedure Committee whose members effectively killed the Marriage and Conscience Act (HB 707) yesterday which was designed to prevent the government from punishing a business, organization or individual for holding views about marriage that are based on their religious convictions. The bill was supported by 67 percent of the electorate but was killed mostly due to claims that it would sanction discrimination against the LGBT population.

As a result, the Committee voted 10-2 yesterday to “return the bill to the calendar,” but insiders say the chance of it being called back to a hearing during this session of the legislature is slim.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City, told the Times that with the clock running out, he does not think it's likely the bill could be heard again, but vows to push it again during the next session if that becomes necessary.

In the meantime, Gov. Jindal issued a statement announcing his plans to issue an executive order which will enforce the intent of the bill.

"We are disappointed by the committee's action to return the Louisiana Marriage and Conscience Act to the calendar,” the governor said yesterday. “We will be issuing an Executive Order shortly that will accomplish the intent of HB 707 to prevent the state from discriminating against persons or entities with deeply held religious beliefs that marriage is between one man and one woman.”

He went on to clarify the intent of the law he intends to enforce should same-sex marriage become legal in his state and/or as a result of a ruling in favor of the unions by the Supreme Court next month.

“This Executive Order will prohibit the state from denying or revoking a tax exemption, tax deduction, contract, cooperative agreement, loan, professional license, certification, accreditation, or employment on the basis the person acts in accordance with a religious belief that marriage is between one man and one woman," the statement read.

In response to the announcement, the local gay community issued a statement accusing the governor of taking an action that would hurt the state’s economy.

"It is shameful that Gov. Jindal has decided that abusing his executive power to accomplish the goals of House Bill 707, even after it was tabled indefinitely by our legislature today, is worth more effort than fixing our disastrous state budget, said a joint statement from Equality Louisiana and Louisiana Progress Action.

"Gov. Jindal is clearly trying to leave the biggest mess possible, as he readies himself to spend even less time in Louisiana and to launch his presidential campaign. In the end, his extreme ideology is only making the state a worse place for those of us who actually plan to live here past his last day in office."

On the other hand, Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills, said his organization "applauds Governor Jindal for his pledge to protect the religious liberty of those who believe marriage is between one man and one woman."

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins issued a timely warning to those who opposed a bill that had such overwhelming support from the people of Louisiana.

“If anyone needs a shield on Election Day, it's the 10 committee members who chose to stand against religious freedom. We thank Governor Jindal for his leadership on this bill and hope that he uses the power of his office to ensure that Louisianans remain free to follow their beliefs about marriage without fear of retaliation by the government.”

Governor Jindal, who recently launched an exploratory committee in anticipation of a White House run, is a Rhodes Scholar who graduated from the prestigious Brown University. Raised Hindu, he was still in high school when a girl talked to him about “saving his soul” which led to his reading the Bible “in the closet” so his parents wouldn’t discover it. But eventually the truth came out. Instead of using his given name, Piyush, he began to use the nickname “Bobby” and launched himself on a spiritual journey that took him from Protestant Christianity into the Roman Catholic Church.

He and his wife Supriya and their three children attend Mass weekly at St. Aloysius parish in Baton Rouge.

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