Groups Oppose RFRA, Donate to Lawmakers Who Voted for it

While business groups in West Virginia and some of the state’s largest corporations are organizing to oppose any new “religious freedom” laws, campaign finance reports show some are donating to lawmakers who voted for the 2016 “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce has given at least $28,000 to 38 lawmakers in the West Virginia House of Delegates who voted for the bill.

Opponents say the bill allows discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Chamber President Steve Roberts says his organization is still opposed to the law, but says its decision to donate was based more on candidates’ willingness to cut regulations and limit lawsuits against corporations.

Other groups that have opposed the RFRA but donated to lawmakers who voted for it include AT&T and the Marriott Town Center in Charleston.