INDIANAPOLIS (AP)
— Indiana Senate committee chairman says he had warned members they needed
to be on time for a meeting during which it advanced a proposed religious
freedom law.
The Senate
Judiciary Committee's seven Republicans all voted in favor of the bill
soon after Wednesday's 8:30 a.m. meeting time before any of its three
Democratic members arrived.
Committee
Chairman Brent Steele of Bedford said the panel had numerous bills to
consider and needed to start on time.
Democratic Sen.
John Broden of South Bend says he would have voted against the bill, but
doesn't believe any rules were broken by the committee's action.
Bill supporters
say it would protect people and businesses from being compelled to provide
services for same-sex weddings and other activities they find
objectionable.