After earlier "reviewing" the Arizona-style "license to discriminate bill" the Mississippi legislature has quickly passed the bill, sending it to the Governor for signature.
In a development that largely went unnoticed on the national stage, the State House and Senate on the same day both approved a conference report for S.B. 2681, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The vote in the Republican-controlled House was 78-43 and the vote in the Republican-controlled Senate vote was 38-14.
Much like the controversial Arizona bill known as SB 1062 vetoed by Gov. Jan Brewer, the six-page legislation never once mentions the words “sexual orientation,” “gender identity” or “gay.” Still, LGBT advocates insist the legislation would have the effect of allowing discriminatory practices against LGBT people seeking services in Mississippi.
When Arizona's legislature passed the bill, pressure from the NFL, Apple, Delta Airlines, and several other businesses caused Governor Jan Brewer to veto the bill. It is unclear if Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant will listen to the business community, who have repeatedly stated that discrimination is bad for business.