Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday said he will veto legislation shielding opponents of same-sex marriage, after a groundswell of opposition from companies threatening to boycott the state if it became law.
The Republican announced his decision during a news conference in his office at the Georgia Capitol, saying, “I have examined the protections that this bill proposes to provide to the faith based community and I can find no examples of any of those circumstances occurring in our state.”
Deal added, “I do not think that we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia.”
Republican majorities passed the bill to broadly protect people whose actions were rooted in their religion. It also would have protected clergy who won’t perform gay marriages and people who won’t attend a wedding for religious reasons.
Churches and affiliated religious groups could have used their faith as an argument for refusing to serve or hire someone.
The bill’s opponents said it excused discrimination and could trample local ordinances protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Coca-Cola and other big-name Georgia companies joined the NFL, prominent Hollywood figures and film studios urging Deal to reject the proposal. Some threatened to boycott the state if Deal didn’t veto.
Deal, in his second and final term, heatedly said that those threats and questions about “my convictions and my character” from some in the religious community were misguided.
“I do not respond very well to insults or to threats,” he said. “The people of Georgia deserve a leader who will make sound judgments based on solid reasons that are not inflamed by emotion.”
Deal said he would sign the bill had it passed in its original form, which was limited to protecting clergy who declined to perform same-sex marriages. He said his decision to reject the bill was “about the character of our state and the character of our people. Georgia is a welcoming state; it is full of loving, kind and generous people.”
Georgia’s General Assembly already has left the Capitol for the year, adjourning after midnight on Thursday. Lawmakers can ask the governor to convene a special session, but need a three-fifths majority in both the House and Senate.
If they can reach that threshold, overriding a governor’s veto requires a two-thirds vote in each chamber. Republicans don’t hold that margin in either the House or Senate, and all Democrats voted against the bill. Several Republicans in the House and one in the Senate also cast dissenting votes.
Leaders in the House and Senate didn’t call for that step on Monday.
House Speaker David Ralston said he respected Deal’s “thoughtful consideration” but said he doesn’t believe the bill permits discrimination. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said the bill struck the “right balance,” adding that the state should actively protect religious belief. He blamed “hyperbole and criticism” for the raging debate.
“I’ve always advocated for Georgia’s status as the number one state to do business, but as we move forward I will never lose sight of the importance of an individual’s right to practice their faith,” Cagle said.
However, one Republican state senator, Mike Crane of Newnan, called for a special session to override the veto. Crane is running for a congressional seat. Another supporter of the bill, Republican Sen. Josh McKoon of Columbus, wouldn’t make any guess about whether there is enough support for a special session.
“I’m just disappointed,” McKoon said. “Governor Deal ran for office as someone the faith community could rely on.”
National gay-rights organizations immediately hailed Deal’s decision.
“We thank Governor Deal for doing the right thing,” said Matt McTighe, Freedom for All Americans executive director. “The governor understands that while our freedom of religion is of critical importance, it doesn’t mean there’s a need for harmful exemptions that can lead to discrimination.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
I find it disgusting that businesses and special interest groups have such control over the will of the people. Deal made a bad deal.
It is time to elect leaders who have the strength and faith to stand up to what is right and not crumble in the sight of fear. Georgia had a great oportunity to invite God to fight their battle, and win. The Governor failed to give God his authority. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” I pray God will give us Godly leaders who depend on him, rather than on man!
Evidently God took sides in this fight. And he won. Get on board Christians…the train is leaving the station.
Well its a done deal that Deal is done. Vote Trump who knows the art of the deal.
Obviously, this Governor, though claiming to be a Christian, has turned his back on the very God he claims to love and worship.
Gov. Deal caved to the homosexual lobby. Many laws are created to protect people. From what I’ve read this would have provided protection for people of faith. How is it fair that a person has to lose their business because their faith views gay weddings to be wrong? Where is the widespread denial of service that opponents to these measures claim? I’m going to guess that for every person of principle who chooses not to participate in an event that there are scores who will be more than happy to service the event.
Does anyone seriously believe Apple and Coca Cola are going to pull out of Georgia? This was nothing more than a threat that caused another spineless governor to cower in fear. As long as Apple, Coca Cola and sports groups are able to make a profit in Georgia they are going to continue to operate there. Once again Christian voters see a politician they elected to stand for them sells them out when the heat gets turned up. It would have been fitting for the governor to have signed this on Good Friday since it is reminiscent of Judas Iscariot selling Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver.
Anyone who believes this governor will stand for Christian values should re-evaluate their beliefs.
Maybe the people of Georgia need to boycott all those who threatened to move out!
the businesses who threaten to leave GA are blowing smoke – they have too much invested to do that – governor should have put his faith in God and called their bluff – so now the Christians will have to be dog shit on the shoes of the pudding packers – what right do they have to take away Christians rights – NONE but evil is so wide spread that the very mention of God’s name sends shivers up their spine and what does the government do – Give In to the evil – so the devil wins again because faith in God was weak — I will not purchase a Coke Cola product nor Disney – I will not deal with any business who does not think Christians deserve the same rights to worship God as the pudding packers have to worship the devil
Amen!!! Boycott
Hid time is surely coming to an end.
Bull shit..I am not gay but this is NOT your great grandpa’s America anymore.. Deal made the right deal..
So protecting the rights of Christians under the protection of the Constitution and religious freedom no longer matters? That would make you part of the problem that is destroying the greatest country in the world.
So, George, you are saying that the freedom of religion in the Constitution no longer applies, and that the gays and special interest groups have more rights than the religious people in the country? It seems that you must support the loss of rights gauranteed under the Constitution.
It’s unfair to go against the Christians, I disagree with the deal made. And co-operations like coke company.
So, w/o the bill my maternal grandparents would have been fined or arrested for not attending the marriage of their daughter, who was a Sunday school teacher, while my dad is a catholic. Turning such family squabbles into legal issues is nuts.
What did you expect from a RINO?