"Save Chick-fil-A" Religious Freedom Bill Advances in Texas Legislature
A so-called "religious freedom" bill has passed in both the Texas Senate and House, and could soon be headed to the governor's desk.
The "Save Chick-fil-A" bill was drafted after the San Antonio City Council voted to ban the fast food restaurant from its airport due to its history of anti-LGBTQ donations.
While the bill was recently seen as dead, it was revived through a softened version, SB1978, which passed in the Senate last week along party lines. It passed the House on Monday, also mostly along party lines, with Republicans in strong support of the bill, which would forbid "the government from taking 'any adverse action,' against any person, contractor or business for its membership in or affiliation with a religious organization."
If the Senate agrees to changes the House made—removing language allowing the state's attorney general to investigate those suspected of being in violation of the would-be law—it will move on to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Abbott has tweeted out his support of the measure, and is expected to sign it should it into law.
The bill's author, Sen. Bryan Hughes, claimed it does not include "an ounce of discrimination."
State Rep. Jessica González, vice-chair of the Texas LGBTQ Caucus, disagreed.
"This bill creates two classes of Texans: those trying to get an education, make a living, support a family, and serve their community; and those with the power to deprive them of their dignity in their everyday lives," González said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Chick-fil-A executive responsible for running the company's charitable arm has defended the anti-LGBTQ donations as "a much higher calling than any political or cultural war that’s being waged."