By Message Staff
BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Senate Judiciary B Committee presented a hostile response to a bill that would have provided a simple protection for pastors — prevent the state from forcing religious leaders to participate in same-sex wedding ceremonies.
Sponsored by state Rep. Mike Johnson, HB597, the Pastor Protection Act, narrowly focused on shielding pastors from the fallout of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, in which five justices overturned voter–approved marriage laws in 31 states, which had defined marriage as between one man and one woman.
It did not contain any provisions relating to people of faith in business or government, just those who serve in official roles with a church in context of wedding ceremonies.
The Louisiana House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed this bill by an 80-18 vote April 19, but the measure failed 3-2 with the Judiciary B Committee, meaning the full Senate will not have a chance to consider the proposed legislation.
Voting against the bill were Senators J.P. Morrell and Karen Carter Peterson, both from New Orleans, as well as Eric LaFleur of Ville Platte. All three are Democrats, and Peterson is chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party executive committee.
Both Morrell and Peterson were strongly vocal in opposing the bill with Morrell saying the protections were unneeded and also drawing comparisons to discrimination against marriage by mixed-race couples. Peterson heatedly made multiple objections — at one point accusing the measure of being all about money.
Voting in favor were Norby Chabert, a Republican from Houma and Gregory Tarver, a Democrat from Shreveport.
Ronnie Johns, a Republican from Lake Charles, was absent from the committee, although present at the Capitol.
Gary Smith, a Democrat from Norco, did not vote, as is customary for the chair of a committee, unless there is a tie. But, breaking with the tradition of identifying individuals by name and organization from submitted Senate witness cards, he ignored the presence of the large number of pastors who had traveled to the Capitol and asked to be entered into the record as supporting HB597. Instead, he handed the large stack of cards in support, and the few in opposition, to the recording secretary.
“The outcome today was a great disappointment, and I believe this will ultimately jeopardize the religious freedoms and tax exempt status of the conservative clergy and churches of Louisiana,” said Johnson, a constitutional lawyer and member of First Baptist Church in Bossier City. “I was grateful for large group of pastors who showed up today to support the bill, from all parts of the state and representing many denominations. It showed the great level of concern that exists about this issue. Most Americans recognize that the right of conscience is the most fundamental freedom that a person has, and none of us want a government that imposes penalties for a person’s religious opinions.”
Louisiana Baptist Convention President Gevan Spinney, who was one of the many pastors who filled half the committee room, said despite the bill’s defeat, God is in control.
“I am discouraged by the political games many of our legislators play,” said Spinney, pastor of First Baptist Church in Haughton. “However, I am very encouraged there are still legislators willing to stand and defend our religious liberties. Today’s outcome will hopefully remind us of the importance of this upcoming election. Let me remind our pastors and churches that our protection doesn’t come from laws passed by those serving in government, but from our sovereign God.”
For those wishing to express disappointment or support about individual votes by committee members, the following contact information is provided (blue – did not vote or absent; red – opposed pastor protections; black – voted to protect pastors):
* District 19: Sen. Gary L. Smith, Jr., Chair
(985)764-9122, smithgl@legis.la.gov
* District 27: Sen. Ronnie Johns, Vice-Chair
(337)491-2016, johnsr@legis.la.gov
* District 28: Sen. Eric LaFleur
(337) 363-5019, lafleure@legis.la.gov
* District 3: Sen. J.P. Morrell
(504)284-4794, morrelljp@legis.la.gov
* District 5: Sen. Karen Carter Peterson
(504)568-8346, petersonk@legis.la.gov
* District 20: Sen. Norby Chabert
(985) 858-2927, chabertn@legis.la.gov
* District 39: Sen. Gregory Tarver
(318)227-1499, tarverg@legis.la.gov
