Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Defends Religious Freedom Bill: 'We're Not Going to Change the Law'

Indiana's Governor Mike Pence has spoken out in support of a newly-signed religious freedom bill as various companies express concern that the legislation will invite discrimination toward gay people in the state. 

Senate Bill 101, or Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, was signed by Gov. Pence late last week and bans the government from "substantially burdening" a person's religious beliefs unless it has compelling interest to do so.

Over the weekend, Pence defended his signing of the legislation, saying that his decision to approve the bill as a law was "absolutely not" a mistake.

Pence told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on Sunday that the media is guilty of "shameless rhetoric" in its recent coverage of Senate Bill 101, saying the piece of legislation strengthens the First Amendment rights of Indiana residents.

"We're not going to change the law," he said, "but if the general assembly in Indiana sends me a bill that adds a section that reiterates and amplifies and clarifies what the law really is and what it has been for the last 20 years, than I'm open to that."

Some groups have voiced their concerns that the bill will allow local businesses to refuse service to gay people based on their religious beliefs.

Last week, NCAA President Mike Emmert released a statement saying he had concerns about the legislation ahead of this weekend's Final Four men's basketball tournament in Indianapolis.

This week, Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle said his Indianpolis-based company may cancel its expansion into the city's struggling Eastside in light of the new legislation.

Apple CEO Tim Cooke also wrote an editorial released Monday morning that condemned the Indiana religious freedom bill and others like it as "dangerous" to the U.S.