WP – Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz criticized Georgia Republican Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday for vetoing a controversial religious liberties bill that came under heavy criticism from opponents who argued that it would discriminate against gay and transgender individuals.
“I thought that was very disappointing to see Governor Deal in Georgia side with leftist activists,” Cruz told reporters outside a restaurant here where he met with voters ahead of Wisconsin’s April 5 primary.
Among other things, the bill would have allowed religious officials to abstain from performing same-sex marriages, if doing so would have violated their religious beliefs.
Here’s Nathan DealsEarlier today, March 28th 2016, Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed the ever controversial “Religious Freedom” Bill, HB 757 stating:
“As I’ve said before, I do not think we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia of which my family and I are a part of for all of our lives…Georgia is a welcoming state. It is full of loving, kind and generous people.”
Deal also backed his decision up with a Constitutionally grounded argument, saying:
““In light of our history, I find it ironic that today some in the religious community feel it necessary to ask government to confer upon them certain rights and protections,…If indeed our religious liberty is conferred by God and not by man-made government, we should need the ‘hands-off’ admonition of the First Amendment to our Constitution. When legislative bodies attempt to do otherwise, the inclusions and omissions in their statutes can lead to discrimination, even though it may be unintentional. That is too great a risk to take.”
What do you think about Governor Deal’s decisions? Join the discussion.
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