Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, has announced his intention to introduce legislation that would withhold federal funds from any city or state government attempting to force Chick-fil-A to operate on Sundays. This statement comes in response to a proposed bill in New York that seeks to require certain Chick-fil-A locations to operate seven days a week, contrary to the chain’s longstanding policy of closing on Sundays for religious reasons.
In a series of tweets on the X platform (formerly Twitter), Senator Graham declared, “This is war,” and emphasized his opposition to the New York proposal. The bill in question aims to impact Chick-fil-A outlets operating at rest stops owned by the New York State Thruway Authority, mandating them to stay open every day to provide a full range of food options for residents and travelers.
Graham argued that the founders of Chick-fil-A made a deliberate decision to close on Sundays in alignment with their faith, and any attempt by a government to overturn this decision goes against American values. He expressed strong support for Chick-fil-A as a great company serving the public with quality products and taking care of its employees. The proposed legislation in New York would affect future contracts with the Thruway Authority and potentially set a precedent for other states or cities.