Long stressed the new law is based on the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 that has been upheld by courts.
"This law does not and will not be allowed to discriminate against anyone," Long said.
The furor over the Indiana law stems in part from the fact that the state's civil rights laws don't ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Long and Bosma did not appear eager to add that language into the measure, noting that it is a big policy decision and that only four weeks remain in this year's legislative session.
Democratic House Minority Leader Scott Pelath said Indiana has been embarrassed and that a full repeal is needed, not "fig-leaf" fixes.
"That is the only thing that will start the process of reversing the damage that has been done to the people of this state," Pelath said.
The bill passed through the state's Republican-dominated Legislature, with no Democratic lawmakers supporting and only a handful of Republicans voting against it.
Some national gay-rights groups say the law allows lawmakers in Indiana and several other states where similar bills have been proposed this year to sanction discrimination as the nation's highest court prepares to mull the gay marriage question.
Supporters of the law insist the law will keep the government from compelling people to provide services they find objectionable on religious grounds. Arkansas is poised to follow in Indiana's footsteps, as Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson has said he'll sign a measure moving through the state's Legislature.
The Associated Press
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