A contentious bill intended to protect religious rights cleared the Iowa Senate Local Government Committee Wednesday as Democrats warned of economic boycotts while a Republican sponsor insisted it would not encourage discrimination.

Senate Study Bill 3171 was approved 7-4 vote, sending it to the Senate floor for debate. Republicans all voted yes, while Democrats all voted no. However, it's not clear whether Senate Republicans have the 26 votes required to pass the bill in the full chamber, and Democrats predicted the measure won't survive because of strong opposition by Iowa's business community.

Supporters of the legislation say it would protect Iowans' ability to exercise their religious beliefs, including opposition to same-sex marriage. They say Congress passed similar federal legislation in the 1990s and that 21 states have their own versions of religious freedom laws.

Businesses have warned of a likely economic backlash to the legislation, including the possible cancellation of the NCAA regional men's basketball tournament games in Des Moines in 2019 and a loss of convention business. Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, said corporate leaders have told him the legislation could drive progressive-minded young Iowans to other states to find employment.