In a fiery response to a proposed bill in New York, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has declared “war” on the state if Albany legislators pass a law requiring certain Chick-fil-A locations to operate on Sundays. Graham took to social media platform X to express his strong opposition to the bill, stating, "This is war. If this goes forward, I will be introducing legislation withholding federal funds from any city or state that requires @ChickfilA to stay open on Sunday."

The controversy stems from Chick-fil-A's long-standing practice of closing on Sundays, which is in accordance with the religious beliefs of its founder, S. Truett Cathy, who was a devout Christian. Graham firmly supports the restaurant's decision, asserting that it aligns with American values. He stated, "The founders of Chick-fil-A made a decision early on to close on Sunday, consistent with their faith. For any government to try to reverse this decision flies in the face of who we are as Americans. Chick-fil-A is a great company with thousands of locations serving the public with a quality product and taking care of their employees. New York is off base and their actions will not go unanswered."

The proposed bill in question was filed in the New York State Assembly last week and specifically targets Chick-fil-A, among other food vendors, operating at rest stops owned by the State Thruway Authority. The legislation would require these establishments to remain open seven days a week. The bill's justification section specifically mentions Chick-fil-A, arguing that while there is nothing objectionable about a fast food restaurant closing on a specific day of the week, such as Sunday, public service areas dedicated to travelers should prioritize maximizing public benefit.

Manhattan Assemblyman Tony Simone, the sponsor of the bill, emphasized that he has no personal qualms with Chick-fil-A. Instead, he claims to be driven solely by the best interests of the state. Simone explained, "You know, we get hungry when we're traveling. We may not like our brother-in-law or sister-in-law's cooking and wanna get a snack on Christmas Eve. To find one of the restaurants closed on the Thruway is just not in the public good."

In response to Graham's online engagement, the South Carolina Senator took his protest to the streets. He made a surprise appearance at a Chick-fil-A location in Manhattan, proudly proclaiming his defiance against the proposed bill. Graham tweeted, accompanied by a wide grin, "I showed up to their Manhattan location today while visiting NYC to send a clear message: Hands off OUR Chick-Fil-A!" The senator's presence undoubtedly caught the attention of onlookers and fueled the ongoing debate.

It is important to note that Chick-fil-A's conservative views and history of donating to anti-LGBTQ organizations have further fueled the controversy surrounding the proposed bill. While Graham's opposition centers primarily around the religious freedom aspect of the issue, critics argue that the fast-food chain's political affiliations and discriminatory practices should be taken into account.

As the debate intensifies, it remains to be seen how New York legislators will respond to Graham's threats and whether they will proceed with the bill that has garnered significant attention.