Some Republicans join Democrats to kill Missouri religious liberty bill

Three Republican state lawmakers in Missouri sided with Democrats on Wednesday to defeat a bill that would have given voters the chance to weigh in on religious liberty protections for clergy, businesses, and individuals.

The bill, passed overwhelmingly by the state Senate in March, was stuck in a House committee awaiting approval for inclusion on the statewide ballot in either August or November. Christian and conservative groups rallied to support the bill, but LGBT activists and big businesses banded together to kill it.

“It is unfortunate that Republican representatives who typically campaign as conservatives refused to govern that way,” Ryan Johnson, president of the conservative Missouri Alliance for Freedom, said in a statement. “Their votes to defeat religious liberty in spite of its overwhelming support by Missourians are a slap in the face to Missouri voters.”

Religious leaders, who have an unusually strong media presence in the state, believed the bill had a good chance of passing a public vote.

“I am sorry to report that freedom suffered a severe setback today,” Don Hinkle, public policy adviser for the Missouri Baptist Convention, told his denomination’s news outlet, The Pathway.

When it became apparent the bill was headed for defeat, supporters asked the House speaker to move it to another committee where it had a chance of approval, but he declined.

State Sen. Bob Onder, the Republican who sponsored the bill, blasted House members for caving to pressure from special interest groups.

“I am deeply disappointed that Missourians will not have the opportunity to vote on protecting religious freedom,” he said in a statement.

Businesses that joined the coalition against the bill included Anheuser-Busch, Edward Jones, Marriott, MasterCard, NestléPURINA, and Pfizer.

Republican Rep. Jim Hansen, who ultimately opposed the bill, wept before casting his “no” vote.

“They call it religious freedom,” he said. “I feel that I’m free in this country to worship the way I want. And I don’t need a law to tell me how to worship. I don’t need a law passed to make it legal to be Christian.”

While the freedom to worship is not under attack, business owners, particularly in the wedding industry, face increasing pressure to participate in same-sex weddings, even if doing so violates their Christian beliefs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.