INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is defending the new state law that's garnered widespread criticism over concerns it could foster discrimination and said it wasn't a mistake for the state to have enacted it.

Pence appeared on ABC's "This Week" to discuss the measure he signed last week prohibiting state laws that "substantially burden" a person's ability to follow his or her religious beliefs.

The Republican did not answer directly when asked six times whether it would be legal for a business to refuse to serve gay customers.

Pence said the law is "about empowering people to confront government overreach."

He also said that if lawmakers send him a bill to clarify the law's intent, he'll look at it, but was adamant that "We're not going to change the law."