Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is intensifying his efforts to thwart a New York state bill that proposes requiring new restaurants in highway rest stops to operate seven days a week, sparking controversy over its potential impact on Chick-fil-A’s longstanding practice of closing on Sundays.
Graham, who has directed his criticism towards the bill’s implications for Chick-fil-A, known for its policy of closing on Sundays in observance of the Sabbath, expressed his steadfast stance in a Thursday interview on “Fox & Friends” and subsequent posts on X, formerly Twitter.
During the interview, Graham asserted, “The bottom line is: Conservatives are tolerant. We are, you know, kind of, get out of your business — ‘You leave me alone; I’ll leave you alone.’ It’s time to push back.” He suggested that the attempt to change a company’s policies dating back to its founding was unwarranted and vowed to resist such efforts.
In response to the bill, Graham issued a warning, stating, “I’m sure this is a publicity stunt, but the idea that the state of New York is going to make a company change its policies it’s had from its founding. They want to have one day off for their employees to recognize the Lord. And they can do it. And to the people in New York who are pushing this: You’re in for one hell of a fight.”
Graham previously labeled the New York state bill as a declaration of “war” last week, continuing to threaten the introduction of legislation that would withhold federal funds from cities mandating Chick-fil-A to remain open on Sundays. He emphasized the importance of Chick-fil-A’s decision to close on Sundays, citing it as consistent with the founders’ faith and a fundamental aspect of American values.
The South Carolina senator visited a Chick-fil-A location in New York, reinforcing his commitment to opposing the bill. New York State Rep. Tony Simone (D), the bill’s sponsor, explained that the legislation aimed to provide travelers with diverse food options at rest stops, clarifying that the bill would not apply to existing Chick-fil-A locations, limiting its impact on the chain’s current operations.
