Walmart CEO Doug McMillon has joined other business leaders in Arkansas and the state Chamber of Commerce in opposing HB 1228, a bill known as the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act," over fears that it would give citizens, including businesses, the legal right to discriminate against others based on their sexual orientation or identification.
"Every day, in our stores, we see firsthand the benefits diversity and inclusion have on our associates, customers and communities we serve. It all starts with our core basic belief of respect for the individual," Mr. McMillon said in a statement. "Today's passage of HB 1228 threatens to undermine the spirit of inclusion present throughout the state of Arkansas and does not reflect the values we proudly uphold. For these reasons, we are asking Governor Hutchinson to veto this legislation."
Attention has turned to the Arkansas bill after business leaders pushed back against a similar bill signed into law in Indiana. Apple CEO Tim Cook, the first openly gay leader of a major corporation, wrote a Washington Post op-ed piece that called religious freedom laws "dangerous."
According to Mr. Cook, there are presently 100 pieces of legislation pending in states intended to "enshrine discrimination in state law." He pointed to a proposed bill being considered in Texas that would strip clerks of their salaries and pensions for issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
"These bills rationalize injustice by pretending to defend something many of us hold dear," Mr. Cook wrote. "They go against the very principles our nation was founded on, and they have the potential to undo decades of progress toward greater equality."
Proponents of religious freedom laws, including that signed into law in Indiana, say similar legislation first passed on the federal level during the nineties during Bill Clinton's administrations and has since passed in 20 states including the traditionally liberal state of Connecticut.
Connecticut governor Daniel Malloy wrote an op-ed in Time taking issue with the characterization that Indiana's new law had an equivalent in his state.
"Connecticut has for two decades had a law recognizing freedom of religion. We celebrate it," wrote Mr. Malloy. "But what separates us from Indiana is that we also have numerous statutes outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. We protect the rights of all our citizens."
- Walmart joins opponents of Ark. religion bill - KTHV/USA Today
- HB 1228: The future of business in Arkansas - KTHV/USA Today
- Hutchinson has controversial HB 1228, business officials ask him to veto - Talk Business & Politics/The City Wire
- Cook: Pro-discrimination 'religious freedom' laws are dangerous - The Washington Post (tiered sub.)
- Editorial: Gov. Pence, fix 'religious freedom' law now - The Indianapolis Star
- Mike Pence: 'Was I expecting this kind of backlash? Heavens no.' - CNN
- Connecticut Gov. Malloy: 'Mike Pence Knew What He Was Doing' - Time
- Connecticut law protects religious freedom while also prohibiting discrimination - New Haven Register