Indiana Lawmakers Reject Extending Civil Rights Protections

INDIANAPOLIS -- Republicans in the Indiana House have turned aside an attempt to extend protections for gays and lesbians under the state's nondiscrimination laws in response to the uproar over the new religious objections law.

The proposal called for adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the Indiana civil rights law covering education, employment and housing.

Republican leaders say there isn't enough time left in the legislative session to tackle such a policy change, and GOP members backed a ruling Tuesday that the proposal didn't meet House rules for consideration.

Democratic Rep. Ed DeLaney of Indianapolis said his proposal was needed to get the state past the religious objections law backlash.

Senate Republicans on Tuesday also rejected a proposal to create a special committee to study the nondiscrimination issue.