Iowa legislators and organizations are reacting to the signing of a new law solidifying Iowa’s religious freedoms.Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” into law Tuesday at a dinner hosted by the Christian conservative group “The Family Leader.”The law allows Iowans to go to court if they believe the government has infringed on their religion.Twenty-six other states have signed similar legislation, and now Reynolds said Iowa has joined the list.”It makes sure that government doesn’t step in and try to erode really important rights that are guaranteed to individuals with the First Amendment,” she said.However, Rep. Lindsay James said being an ordained Presbyterian Pastor, the law allows discrimination on the basis of religion.”It’s something that is so distressing as an Iowan, a person of faith and a legislator to see legalized discrimination and weaponizing of religious beliefs,” James said.Chuck Hurley with the Family Leader has spent 13 years trying to get the bill across the finish line.”This is a fundamental constitutional human right of the deepest and strongest order, and so now Iowa has the strongest protection possible for this very important right,” he said.Connie Ryan, the executive director of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, said the law comes at a cost.”We stand strongly in support of religious freedom. We just don’t think that religious freedom should be used as justification to take away somebody else’s rights,” Ryan said.Republicans have introduced several versions of the bill in the past, but it wasn’t until this year that they had enough support to pass it.The law went into effect immediately after the governor signed it on Tuesday.» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from KCCI
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Iowa legislators and organizations are reacting to the signing of a new law solidifying Iowa’s religious freedoms.
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” into law Tuesday at a dinner hosted by the Christian conservative group “The Family Leader.”
The law allows Iowans to go to court if they believe the government has infringed on their religion.
Twenty-six other states have signed similar legislation, and now Reynolds said Iowa has joined the list.
“It makes sure that government doesn’t step in and try to erode really important rights that are guaranteed to individuals with the First Amendment,” she said.
However, Rep. Lindsay James said being an ordained Presbyterian Pastor, the law allows discrimination on the basis of religion.
“It’s something that is so distressing as an Iowan, a person of faith and a legislator to see legalized discrimination and weaponizing of religious beliefs,” James said.
Chuck Hurley with the Family Leader has spent 13 years trying to get the bill across the finish line.
“This is a fundamental constitutional human right of the deepest and strongest order, and so now Iowa has the strongest protection possible for this very important right,” he said.
Connie Ryan, the executive director of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, said the law comes at a cost.
“We stand strongly in support of religious freedom. We just don’t think that religious freedom should be used as justification to take away somebody else’s rights,” Ryan said.
Republicans have introduced several versions of the bill in the past, but it wasn’t until this year that they had enough support to pass it.
The law went into effect immediately after the governor signed it on Tuesday.
» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
