Transcripts For CSPAN Representative Ben Lujan On Campaign 2016 20160716

Des moines, iowa at 2 00 eastern. Mike pence, who was worn and raised in indiana, has been governor since 2013. Prior to that, he was a u. S. Representative for six terms. It was revealed yesterday their republican governor would join the president ial ticket trump, with and official announcement to come later this morning. We will show you past events with governor pence, beginning with a speech he gave last year at a dinner hosted by the conservative medical action conference, known as conservative Political Action conference, known as cpac. [applause] gov. Pence thank you for the warm introduction. Good evening to you all. It is an honor to be with you among such a large group of so many americans. Men and women who represent the bulwark of the leadership of the conservative movement in the United States of america. I appreciate the kind introduction, but the introduction i prefer is a little bit shorter. Im a christian, a conservative, and republican. In that order. [applause] theres an old saying that when you see a box turtle on a fence post, you know one thing for sure. He did not get there on his own. That is true of my life. And other than my faith, my family, my beloved wife who is with me tonight, and my fellow hoosiers, i rise tonight to pay a debt of gratitude to all of you. I owe so much to cpac, to this movement, the namesake of this dinner for the inspiration and opportunities i have been given. It is good to be back at cpac. The premier conservative gathering in the United States of america. [applause] we gather in 2015 in a challenging time in the life of this nation. An administration paralyzed by ideology and incompetence has weakened americas place in the world. Stifled our nations economy. While the challenges we face are daunting, the choices we must make to meet them are not. 50 years ago, Ronald Reagan helped to birth our movement with his iconic time for choosing speech. Today, i believe we have come to another time for choosing. You either choose to view america as a shining city on a hill that inspires the best in all mankind, or you dont. You either want america to stand by her friends and stand up to her enemies, or you dont. You either are for limiting the power of the federal government, or youre not. Youre either for protecting the unborn and the religious liberty of every american, or you arent. [applause] gov. Pence by say tonight, after winning both houses of congress, more statehouses than never before, and electing 31 republican governors in states like maryland and massachusetts and illinois, the American People have made their choice, and we are on the verge of a Great American comeback. For our ideals. [applause] i believe that because i believe in this movement. My grandfather immigrated to this country from ireland. My dad built a gas station business in a small town in southern indiana. While i actually started in politics as a democrat, when i heard the voice of the 40th president of the United States, it all changed for me. I live the dream of becoming a congressman from that small town, and now i serve as governor of the great state of indiana. [applause] i served 12 years in the congress, and i love to say, if i only had 12 years left to live, i would want to live as a member of congress. Because that was the longest 12 years of my life. [laughter] the truth is we have not had a government as good as her people in washington, d. C. For some time. But it is worse today than ever before. At home, the errors of this administration are almost too numerous to count. Whether it is the government takeover of health care or the internet, the president s unconstitutional executive amnesty, or the war on coal, this is threatening our prosperity. You cannot improve health care by ordering every american to order health insurance, whether they want it or needed, or not. That the internet to drive based on warranted and unjustifiable regulation. You cannot change the law of this land by executive fiat. You cannot build an Energy Policy by raising the cost of electricity on working americans. It should almost go without being obamacare must repealed, the fccs ruling must be reversed, and the president executive action rescinded, and the epas war on American Energy must end. [applause] tonight, allow me to offer some advice. Some advice to the rising generation of leaders. Who are gathered here at cpac and maybe looking on from across the country. On how we might confront the challenges we face with renewed focus at home and abroad. First, let me submit that 2015 2016 could actually be the first Foreign Policy National Election since 1980. And sadly, this administration has reduced our army to its smallest size since 1940. The navy has fewer ships than at any time since 1960. And our air force has its smallest Tactical Fighter force in history. History teaches that you cannot reduce our military strength without provoking our enemies. Weakness arouses evil. As we speak, isis is setting up franchises across the middle east and is on the offensive are across the arab world. The president says jobs are the answer to violent jihad. Mr. President , jihadi john does not want a job. He once to see paradise, does he wants to see paradise, and i think we should help him get there as quickly as possible. [applause] with the growing threat of homegrown terror, it is important to remember that our first line of defense is the right of selfdefense. Now more than ever, the right to keep and bear arms must not be infringed on the American People. [applause] but violent jihad is not the only threat. In asia, china is massively expanding its military. Just last month, the pentagon admitted that chinas satellite and ballistic technologies are rapidly approaching parity with our own. Newe gather here tonight, a iron curtain is descending down the line of europe. As russia seeks to expand by force. Unlike the former soviet union that respected the strength of the west, putins russia ignores talk of sanctions, claims land, and support rebels in ukraine with impunity. If we do not know enough about iran,reat we face from iran was listed as, by far, the most significant security challenge facing the United States and its allies and interests in the middle east. In a few days, the leader of our most cherished ally will come to washington, d. C. To Warn Congress and the American People of the gathering storm he believes will strike his country and threaten ours if we allow the worlds most dangerous regime to obtain the worlds most dangerous weapons. Traveling to israel last december, i met with Prime Minister netanyahu in his private quarters on the very day the palestinian authorities tried to force a settlement on israel through the united nations. It would have compromised israels security. I saw firsthand the resolve and determination of this courageous leader. Who stands too often alone in times of great peril across the middle east. Speaker boehner was right, to invite the Prime Minister netanyahu to address the congress and our nation at such a time of this. Israels cause is our cause. Israels enemies are our enemies. If the world does nothing else, let it know this, america stands with israel. [applause] the truth is, you cannot command the respect of the world when you spend years apologizing to our enemies and abandoning our friends. Lecturing the American People about the crusades while refusing to call islamic extremism by name is an abdication of leadership. As president reagan taught us, peace comes through strength. Providing for the common defense for the United States is the chief responsibility of our National Government. With everything happening in the world, i believe, my fellow conservatives, i believe it is imperative that conservatives again embrace americas role as leader of the free world and the arsenal of democracy. [applause] i believe the time has come to dramatically increase spending defense spending to confront the knowable and a noble threats of this new century. Without rebuilding the military, no strategy or innovation will be sufficient to protect the American People and the sovereignty of the United States. Among other measures, we could revive the future combat systems of the army and marine corps, resume production of the best and most advanced Fighter Aircraft of the world, the f22, and rebuild the navy. A safer and more secure america is a stronger and more prosperous america. [applause] of course, our strength begins at home. In our families, communities, businesses, and states. Second, let me suggest that our movement also put the promise of federalism and statebased reform back at the center of the conservative agenda the 21st in the 21st century. [applause] as president reagan said, it is important to be reminded, and i quote, the federal government did not create the states, the states created the federal government. [applause] our states are not territorial outposts of the federal government. They are the wellspring of our vitality and reform. I should know i come from a state that works. [applause] in indiana, we balance budgets and have a aaa rating. That is a lot better than washington, d. C. We passed the largest state tax cut in history. We have the largest Voucher Program in america. Im proud to say indiana was the first state to withdraw from common core, and amidst the Shifting Sands of contemporary law, we often without apology for the sanctity of life, the importance of marriage, and the freedom of religion. [applause] and it is working. In our first two years in office, unemployment has dropped from over 8 to 5. 8 . We have seen 100,000 new private sector jobs created, and last year, we led the nation in manufacturing jobs created. Graduation rates are up, test scores are up, and life is winning in indiana. Abortion is in decline in the great state of indiana for the fifth Straight Year in a row. [applause] now, i did not come here to brag on indiana. Well, i didnt just come here to brag about indiana. [laughter] i came to encourage you. Encourage each of you here today with the progress thats being made in indiana and other republican led states and to urge you, as leaders and activists in this movement, to take encouragement from the successful results conservative policies are achieving in states across the country. After 12 years in congress and two years as governor, im more convinced that the cure for what ails this country will come more from our nations state capitals than it ever will from our Nations Capital. [applause] lets put statebased innovation and reform back at the center of our national agenda. Lets look to the example of republican led states balancing budgets and crafting solutions to the most intractable problems facing our nation. That includes getting runaway federal spending under control. When it comes to most public assistance programs, states are simply better equipped to innovate and manage antipoverty programs in a fiscally responsible way. Because states cant print money. During my years in congress, i honestly never recall anyone focusing on revenue forecasts when we passed a spending bill. But in indiana, where we have a balanced budget, this years budget will only be completed when we get the final revenue forecast to make sure the income meets the outgo. And states are better equipped to innovate and reform those antiquated programs. In indiana, we ended traditional medicaid for all ablebodied adults and replaced it with Consumer Driven Health care and Health Savings accounts. [applause] weve expanded access to health care not through government mandates and taxes, but their through marketbased reforms grounded in personal responsibility and self reliance. On education, because we believe that all honest work is honorable, today, indiana is crafting plans to be the first state in america to make career and Vocational Education a priority in every high school in our state again. [applause] lets empower the states with renewed flexibility to develop positive, subsisting substantive alternatives. And lets give each other more room as a movement to try new ideas and innovate without rejecting policies that break new ground. In fact, lets wean ourselves off the washingtoncentered notion that every problem must find an answer in our Nations Capital. Some say the next nominee of our party should be a governor. Im certainly sympathetic to that view. [laughter] but all kidding aside, what i can tell you that im looking for is not somebody who says send me to washington, d. C. And i will run our nations capitol send me to washington, d. C. And i will run our Nations Capital the way i ran the state capital. For those who served in the city, you know washington, d. C. Is not a state. Literally or figuratively. Im listening for somebody who says send me to washington, d. C. , and i will make it more possible for the next person running my state to run it with more freedom and more flexibility. That is the constitutional way. [applause] when we win back the white house and reelect a republican to congress, lets make it our aim to permanently reduce the size and scope of the federal government by restoring the states the freedom, flexibility, and resources that is theirs under the constitution of the United States of america. [applause] finally, as we strive to be the party of solutions at home and abroad, lets be relentlessly positive. You know, i said for years that im a conservative, but im not in a bad mood about it. We need to be cheerful partisans. Happy warriors. Lord knows we need a little optimism these days. I was reminded of that not long ago at the indiana state fair. A man walked up to me, a great conservative older gentleman, with sad eyes and a weary look about him. He approached me to say that he supported everything that i stood for, and then he asked, he askedembling lip, me, governor, do you think the country is going to make it . He had all the telltale signs of excessive Cable Television viewing. [laughter] i put my hand on his shoulder and i said, of course we are going to make it. We are americans. We always make it. We always find a way. [applause] but you know that man and millions like him are worried, understandably, about our country and our future because of the failings of our National Government. Our National Government does have all kinds of problems and flaws and weaknesses. But lets remember, america is not the American Government. Lets stop confusing the American Government with the American People. Ronald reagan said it best. We are a people with a government, not the other way around. [applause] i learned that lesson a long time ago. Back when indianapolis was hosting all the living recipients of the medal of honor. We were dedicating our memorial to all those great men throughout history. I was a talk radio show host at the time. I had the privilege of interviewing those heroes, one of whom was a man named jack lucas. Jack was born in 1928 in north carolina. He enlisted in the marine corps in august of at the age of 14. Lukas was so determined to join combat that he stowed away on the u. S. S. Dual to join the fifth Marine Division as they went to the south pacific. Jack turned 17 at sea, just a few days before landing at iwo jima. On the day following the landing, private lucas he was crawling through a ravine with three men and his rifle team when two enemy hand grenades landed nearby. The teenager used his own body to cover both hand grenades and saved his fellow marines, despite suffering horrible injuries. And in october of 1945, pfc jack lucas was awarded the medal of honor by president harry truman. [applause] i had him on the radio show, and during the interview, we talked about his experiences. We exchanged was injuries exchanged pleasantaries. He spoke with remarkable humility about his extraordinary courage. Then i asked him a question. I said, youre part of the greatest generation. So you probably are worried about this country when you see young people these days. Well, in that moment, jacks countenance changed. That old soldier looked at me and said, son, you obviously dont have the first idea what youre talking about. [laughter] i laughed nervously, i mean, this was live radio. I said why dont you enlighten me, and he did. Jack said let me tell you something. He said growing up back in the 1930s, we didnt have any more sense than kids do these days. We wasted just as much time. We partied just as much. But when the time came, we stepped up, because were americans. And kids these days will do just the same thing. [applause] as we say, id been told. I didnt know how right he was until a few years later. On a sunny morning in september of 2001. That day i found myself in my first term as a member of congress. On capitol hill. Sirens blaring in every direction. Columns of mudbrown smoke billowing from the pentagon. And the next day, there were lines outside every recruiting station in every city and town across this nation. [applause] and jack was right. In the years that followed, in my trips downrange to visit our soldiers in afghanistan and iraq, i saw the sacrifices of the new greatest generation. Who, just like jack said, stepped up and did what needed to be done. So i say with conviction tonight, the American People today, despite all the failings of our National Government, the American People today are every bit as strong and patriotic and generous and selfless and resilient and freedom loving as they have ever been throughout the great history of this great nation. [applause] and our nation deserves leaders of our party in this movement. Who believe in the American People with an unshakeable faith. And faith is my final point. Because we are not in this alone. The bible says where the spirit of the lord is, there is liberty. When we hold the banner of liberty high, when we take up the cause of freedom at home and abroad, i believe with all of my heart we make his cause on this earth our very own. And we do not fight alone. So my fellow conservatives, lets be confident and lets have faith, faith in americas unique responsibility in the world and in the founders vision of limited and faith in americas unique responsibility in the world and in the founders vision of limited and constitutional government, faith in the boundless capacity of the American People, especially in our states, to Craft Solutions to the complex problems that are facing us. Faith in him who set this miracle of democracy on these wilderness shores, that he will fulfill his promise for his last, best hope for earth. We have come to another time for choosing. And i believe, with all my heart, with your help, and with gods help, once again, america will choose freedom. Thank you, and god bless you. [applause] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2016] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] within the hour, we will take you to new york city, where donald trump will introduced governor pence as his running mate. In 2015, the governor received National Attention when his state passed a religious freedom law that some claimed was discriminatory. Here is a News Conference governor pence gave at the time. This is 40 minutes. Gov. Pence thank you all for coming. It has been a tough week here in the hoosier state, but we are going to move forward. As governor, ive the privilege of serving the greatest people on earth. The people of indiana. Let me say first that i was proud to sign the religious freedom act. I believe that religious liberty as president clinton said when he signed the federal law in 1993. I believe religious liberty is our first freedom. And it is vital to millions of americans, who cherish faith as i and my family do. But it is also vital to the framework of freedom in our nation. And this legislation was designed to ensure the vitality of religious liberty in the hoosier state. I believe hoosiers are entitled to the same protections that have been in place in our federal courts the last 20 plus years and the law and other 30 states. But clearly, there has been misunderstanding and confusion and mischaracterization of this law. And i come before you today to say how we are going to address that. We have been working over the last several days, literally around the clock. Been talking with people across the state of indiana, talking to business leaders, and talking to organizations around the country have spent time in indiana and enjoy the hospitality of the people in indiana, and we have been listening. Let me say, first and foremost, as ive said to each one of them, the religious freedom restoration act was about religious liberty. Not about discrimination. As i said last week, had this law had been about legalizing discrimination, i would have vetoed it. This law does not give anyone a license to discriminate. The religious freedom restoration act in indiana does not give anyone the right to deny anyone services to anyone in the state. It is simply a balancing test used our federal courts and jurisdictions across the country for more than two decades. Let me say on the subject of the bill itself i do not believe for a minute that it was the intention of the General Assembly to create a license to discriminate or a right to deny services to gays, lesbians, or anyone else in the state. And it certainly was not my intent. But i can appreciate that that has become the perception, not just here in indiana, but across this country. And we need to confront that and confront it boldly. In a way that respects the interest of all involved. A personal reflection for a moment, if i can. I abhor discrimination. The way that i was raised, like most hoosiers, was with the golden rule. That you should do unto others that you would have done unto you. And i believe in my heart of hearts that no one should be harassed or mistreated because of who they are, who they love, or what they believe. And i believe every hoosier shares that conviction. But as i said, we have got a perception problem here, because some people have a different view. And we intend to correct that. After much reflection and in consultation with leadership of the General Assembly, ive come to the conclusion that it would be helpful to move legislation this week that makes it clear that this law does not give businesses the right to deny services to anyone. Let me say that again. I think it would be helpful and i will like to see on my desk, before the end of this week, legislation that is added to the religious freedom restoration act in indiana that makes it clear that this law does not give businesses the right to deny services to anyone. We want to make it clear that indiana is open for business. We want to make it clear that Hoosier Hospitality is not a slogan, it is our way of life. It is the reason why people come here from around the world, and they come back again and again and again. Because hoosiers are the kindest, most generous, most decent people in the world. Let me say that i believe that this is a clarification, but it is also a fix. It is a fix of a bill that, through mischaracterization and confusion, that has come to be greatly misunderstood. And im determined to address this this week and move forward as a state. And i know that we will. Indiana has come under the harsh glare of criticism from around the country. And some of us get paid to be under that harsh glare of criticism. So we do not complain about it. But the things that have been said about our state have been, at times, deeply offensive to me. And i will continue to continue to use every effort to defend the good and decent people of indiana. I think it is important that we take this action this week. Ive spoken to legislative leaders all the way through the last hour, and we are going to be working to make that happen. With that i will be happy to , take questions. Go ahead. I like to ask you again. Under this law, as it is written, is it legal for a florist to deny services to a samesex couple . Gov. Pence this law does not right to denye services to gay and lesbian couples. Look, i couldve handled that better this weekend. Going into that interview this weekend, i was determined to set the record straight about what this law really is. I am very pleased that the reporting about the religious freedom restoration act has significantly improved over the last several days. I think there is a growing public understanding that indiana has passed a law here that mirrors the federal law that president clinton signed, and it mirrors the laws and statues of some 30 states. Im grateful for that. But on sunday, my intention was to set that record straight. But i want to be clear on that point, and thank you for the opportunity. Signed it . Et having gov. Pence absolutely not. Religious liberty is vitally important in the life of our nation. And to ensure that hoosiers have the same level of scrutiny, when they believe religious liberty is intruded upon in our state courts, that they already have in our federal courts and that 30 states have had for some time, is simply the right thing to do. It is that important. I was pleased to have signed it and i stand by the law. , do you oppose giving protective status to gov. Pence jim, ive never supported that. I want to be clear. It is not on my agenda. But i think it is a completely separate question. Were talking about the religious freedom restoration act, which is about restoring the highest level of scrutiny in our state courts when matters of Government Action intrude upon the religious liberty of hoosiers. That is where i want to stay focused. But i do believe that moving legislation this week that would make it clear this law does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone that would be appropriate. What would the legislation say . Gov. Pence that is still under discussion and consideration, but that is the direction. Yes, please. Governor, were you expecting this kind of backlash at all . Was i expecting this kind of backlash . Heavens, no. To be candid with you, when i first heard about the legislation and heard that it was already federal law for more than 20 years, heard that it was the law through statute and Court Decisions in 30 jurisdictions, in the wake of the hobby lobby case, i thought it was an appropriate addition to indiana statutes. It moved through the process with good debate, but not a considerable amout the controversy. So candidly when this happened last week, even though i made my position clear weeks ago that i would sign the bill without much discussion, i was taken aback. I have to tell you that the gross mischaracterizations about this bill early on in some of the reckless reporting by some in the media about what this bill was all about was deeply disappointing to me and the millions of hoosiers, but were making progress on that. We are turning back. I am grateful for the expressions of support that are being given around the country, including many in the media who are articulating what this is all about, and we will continue to move forward on that. There is a lot of the concern why in indiana this is happening. So just to make it clear, that your thoughts on the language to be specific in what human rights ordinances are . Protected . Gov. Pence let me say that the smear here against this bill is that it created a license to discriminate or license to deny services. That is just completely false. And baseless. Professor conkel, who i quoted in my editorial this morning in the wall street journal, said it well. There is no license to discriminate. I think the proper legislative remedy is to focus on the perception that has been created by the mischaracterization, and to make it clear that this law does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone. Yes, please. Thank you, governor. Speaking of the backlash, im going off of what valerie said. Talking about a built in 1993, is the gayrights issue that amended in national and now in indiana. You think it likewise . Gov. Pence i would leave it you mean the public reaction . Right. Gov. Pence i think it was explained by the fact that this was grossly mischaracterized by advocates who oppose the bill, and also quite frankly, some , sloppy reporting for the first several days. I really do believe that. Look, i if i read some of the stuff about this bill, i wouldve had the same concern that millions of hoosiers have had and people across the country have had. It just isnt so. When president clinton signed this bill in 1993, the American Civil Liberties union said then that the religious freedom restoration act was the most important legislation considered by Congress Since the First Amendment was approved. Ok . When then state senator brock when then state senator barack obama voted for this bill in illinois, it was with broad and bipartisan support. One of the great pieces of legislative history of the religious liberty restoration act is it has been a way of bringing people together. Consensus. This has been broadly supported on a bipartisan asis basis. I would suggest that explains the concerns that have been expressed across our state and across this nation has been mischaracterization. In a very real sense, that is why i think we need to focus specifically on this perception that this creates some license to discriminate, and that is why i am calling on the legislature to do. [inaudible] gov. Pence i think the language is still being worked out. What i want to make sure is that it is clear to hoosiers, which are the people i serve, and frankly, clear to anyone who would come to visit our state that there is, in this legislation, no license to discrimination, no right to deny services. I think we can develop that language. He, just this morning, issued an email to supporters that christian businesses should protecteded from in discriminating against best gov. Pence this law does not give anyone a license to discriminate. This law, that i signed last week, does not give anyone the right to deny services. The language that i am talking about adding, i believe, would be consistent with what the General Assembly intended, and certainly what i intended. Back there. Would the language include antidiscrimination . Gov. Pence im calling on the General Assembly to send me a bill that focuses on the issues here. That focuses on, frankly, the smear that has been leveled against this law and the people of indiana. And that is that somehow, through our legislative process, we enacted legislation that created a license to discriminate. That is so offensive to me as a hoosier, and i know it is offensive to people across the state of indiana that we have to correct that first, just because it is not true. And secondly, we have to correct that perception, because it has to do with the perception of our state and our businesses. Eric . There are two levels. One is discrimination. In indianapolis, will those ordinances remain in effect . Gov. Pence i just think we need to make it very clear, irrespective of whether those ordinances exist in a community or not, that this law gives does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone. And thats what i have to say about that. Go. [indiscernible] gov. Pence the intent of the law . Well, the intent of the law when president clinton signed it, the intent of the law when i signed it, was to give the courts in our state the highest level of scrutiny in cases where people feel that their religious liberty is being infringed upon by Government Action. Im sorry, lets go here. You talked about the perceptions out there, the smear. How does indiana, the state of indiana, get its good name back . Gov. Pence well, first, the state of indiana has a good name. This law has been smeared. But, look, were going to mark our 200th anniversary next year. And the name and reputation of the people of indiana is strong and secure. But the reputation of this law and the intentions of our legislature have been called into question. And i believe we need to deal with it, and i believe we need to deal with it this week, and we will. We will fix this, and we will move forward. Thats what hoosiers do. [indiscernible] what are your thoughts about that . Gov. Pence no comment. Tom . What exactly do you want to in this see in this . What are you looking for . Gov. Pence well, i want to make it clear in the rfra law that the religious freedom restoration act does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone. That this is about and ive said before to people, you know, and i want to stipulate the coverage on this has gotten better and more fair, ok . But early on, there was some really reckless and irresponsible reporting about this. But, i just would submit to you that its important that we address the principal allegation here with legislation in this law that makes it clear that it does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone. Maureen . [indiscernible] gov. Pence maureen, i wasnt talking about you. Ok. Thank you. Gov. Pence and, frankly, can i just can i just say this . I dont want to let the Indiana Press off the hook here, but i will anyway. I think the Indiana Press has had this right from early on, but some of the National Reporting on this has been ridiculous. Could you cite a specific story . Gov. Pence i encourage you to do a quick Google Search on this license to discriminate business. Youll find all of it. [indiscernible] gov. Pence well, ive been on the phone, talking to business leaders, our teams been talking to business leaders. Ive been reaching out to the leaders of associations and corporations around the country, just setting the record straight about what this law actually does and what our intention is in passing it, and our determination to correct the perception thats taken hold. Governor, you said in your press Conference Last Week that this was a Long Time Coming the federal bill was signed into law in 1983. Why did indiana act now . Gov. Pence yeah, its a good question. Well, i think the more relevant event was the hobby lobby case by the Supreme Court, which is a case in point of the value of the religious freedom restoration act. It really is. The obamacare was passed into law. It included mandates on Health Care Coverage for businesses. And hobby lobby, and i also might add the university of notre dame, among others, filed federal lawsuits to challenge obamacare under the religious freedom restoration act. The Supreme Court, in a majority opinion last year, upheld the right of a private Business Owner under the religious freedom restoration act, citing the act. And but heres heres the background. In 1993, the federal law was signed by president clinton. In 1997, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the act did not apply to states that did not have their own statute. And thats why you have 19 states that have adopted statutes. You have about 11 other states that have adopted it in their case law, this balancing test, this standard. Indiana never did. And so in the wake of the hobby lobby decision, to ensure that hoosiers in our state courts have the same level of scrutiny when their religious liberty they believe is infringed upon, the General Assembly moved this legislation. And that was the precipitating event. Yes, sir . Yesterday, the senator said that characterized this as well. It was d gov. Pence people are entitled to their opinions. But this law does not create a license to discriminate, and this law does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone. I think it would be helpful if the General Assembly were to get legislation to my desk that made that clear. And made that clear in the statute. Yes . I didnt hear the first part of your question, tony. Go ahead. [indiscernible] gov. Pence the purpose of the religious freedom restoration act is to give the people of this country the opportunity to go into our courts, state now, and federal for more than 20 years, where they believe that Government Action has imposed and impinged upon their religious liberty. Thats the foundation of this idea. This is about this is about restraining government overreach. And i i want to say again, the reason why this was such a broad and bipartisan measure over much of the last two decades is because every american cherishes religious liberty. We all understand the importance of the freedom of conscience. Its enshrined in our constitution. Its enshrined in the constitution of the state of indiana. And thats what this is about. And but look, i i understand that the perception of this has, you know, has gone far afield from what the law really is. Weve been doing our levelbest to correct that perception, however imperfectly. And well continue to do that. I want to say i am extremely grateful for voices around the country whove stepped up and stood by indiana as we stand by this law. But that being said, as governor of the state of indiana, i believe it would be the right thing to do to move legislation that would make it clear that this law does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone. John, do you have one . Governor, in your conversation with the business leaders, are you confident that this will gov. Pence those conversations are ongoing. And but im you know, i remain very hopeful that if we focus on the principal misperception, that we will garner support. We will restore confidence. And well be able to move forward. Governor, is also true that the statewide nondiscrimination law gov. Pence well, i think i think a number of the 30 states that have this standard in their courts are also in the same position indiana is in and the same position the federal governments in, in terms of protected status. But let me say, with great respect, i think thats a separate issue. All right . Its not my position. Im not advocating for it. I understand some people are, but thats a separate question that ought to be considered separate from this idea of religious liberty and and that we will give our courts in indiana, and have given our courts in indiana, the ability to discern, with the highest level of scrutiny, where the people of our state believe that Government Action has intruded upon their religious liberty. Right here. Shes shes right here. Im sorry, say again. [indiscernible] gov. Pence why is it contained . Well, the you would have to speak to the indiana General Assembly and the members who crafted the legislation. Im pleased to support it, to answer the legislativehistory question. I believe it would be appropriate to make it clear that this law does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone. Go ahead. Go right ahead. Should it be legal in the state of indiana to discriminate against gays and lesbians . What do you say to that . Gov. Pence i dont support discrimination against gays or lesbians or anyone else. So no . Gov. Pence no. I dont support discrimination against gays or lesbians or anyone else. I abhor discrimination. I want to say this. No one should be harassed or mistreated because of who they are, who they love, or what they believe. I believe it with all my heart. This issue of discrimination has been an anthem throughout my life. I was i started out in politics as a democrat when i was in high school and was the Youth Democrat Party coordinator in my hometown. Not exactly a community organizer, but we worked door to door. The reverend dr. Martin luther king junior was one of the heroes in my youth. Hes one of my heroes to this day. Five years ago, john lewis approached me on the floor and asked if i would cochair or cohost the annual pilgrimage to selma with him, and it was one of the greatest honors that i had during my 12 years in congress. We felt so strongly about it that not only did my wife go with me, but our three teenage kids went with us. It was 45th anniversary of bloody sunday. The night before, in montgomery, we sat in dr. Kings church. We talked to people who had been there, and we were deeply moved by the courage and faith of the people who were there. But i will always count one of the greatest privileges of my life, that on the 45th anniversary of bloody sunday, i was walking across the Edmund Pettus bridge with john lewis. I think thats probably whats been most grievous to me about the debate the last week, is that im very typical in indiana. Hoosiers are a loving, kind, generous, decent, and tolerant people. We are known all over the world for that. And im just one of them. And so the suggestion that because we passed a law to strengthen the foundation of religious liberty in our state courts, that we had, in some way, created a license to discriminate is deeply offensive to me, deeply offensive to millions of hoosiers, and were going to correct it and move forward. Kevin . Can you talk about the misrepresentation and characterization, and i am worried wondered about on twitter, so what do you think the difference is . Gov. Pence the difference in what . Why would they feel that this bill is to be fixed, or done away with. What is their contribution . Gov. Pence well i dont want to , talk about private conversations or interaction, but i think we all understand. That this is a perception problem, and we need to deal with it. And we need to deal with it, because its the right thing to do, and we need to deal with it so that everybody around the country and around the world knows indiana is a welcoming place to everybody. And i agree. Weve got to correct that perception. And the whole debate about how we got here, you know, we are where we are. And as ceo of the state of indiana im determined to brinf im determined to bring people together and solve it and move forward. Do youpersonally personally believe that businesses who have deeply held deeplyout marriage d beliefs about marriage to gay and lesbian couples . Gov. Pence this law does not give a license to discriminate. It does not give a license to deny services. I think we all know how things have changed since 1993. Personally, do you think that it should that businesses who have deeply held should have tofs provide services for gays and lesbians . Gov. Pence i do not support discrimination against anyone. The question that you posed i , we are dealing here in a free society with always a careful balancing of interest. The facts and circumstances of each case determined the outcome. Does, whategislation it did when president clinton signed it into law in 1993, and what it served in some 30 states where it has been the law, is providing framework for whether or not public reaction for the certain burden on a persons religious liberty. Counterbalanced against whether there is a interest. The first question is, in any case, does the Government Action a burden on the free exercise of religion . The next question is, is there a compelling state interest . What courts have found without exception over the last 20 plus years is that the state has a compelling interest in combating discrimination, and i support that determine interpretation. [indiscernible] gov. Pence the conversations have been ongoing and candid. We have been listening and sharing the facts about this law and our determination to step forward and provide the kind of will allay the concerns and correct the misperception across the country, but there has been lots of ideas shared. For said, i do not believe one minute that it was the intention of the General Assembly to create a license to discriminate or a right to deny services to anyone in our state by this legislation. It certainly was not my intention. I have made it clear to those businesses that we will take such action as necessary to correct our misperception and move our state forward. Thank you all. Thank you all very much. A live look in new york city where republican president ial candidate donald trump is hosting an event to formally introduce his selection for Vice President ial running mate, indiana governor mike pence. That event should get underway anytime now. It was scheduled for 11 00 eastern time, initially scheduled yesterday but mr. Trump the it one day because of the truck attack in nice, france. Campaign event in new york city coming up in just a few moments on cspan, followed by your phone calls. We would like to hear from you on what you think of the selection of indiana governor mike pence as the running mate for donald trump. Our coverage of the Republican Convention gets underway monday at 1 00 eastern time, and from gaveltogavel we will be with the Republican National Convention Next week and the july 28. C convention you can listen on the cspan radio app and get video on demand at cspan. Org. We are waiting for donald trump and governor mike pence to appear in new york city. Live road to the white house coverage coming up on cspan. This is the formal introduction running matemps mike pence. The associated prints said Hillary Clinton summoned at contenders to her Washington Home as she closes in on a Vice President. She met with elizabeth