**South Carolina Senator Threatens “War” on New York Over Chick-fil-A Bill**
By Jon Levine
Published Dec. 23, 2023, 1:45 p.m. ET
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has sparked controversy with his announcement that he would go to “war” with the state of New York over a bill that aims to force certain Chick-fil-A locations in the Empire State to operate seven days a week.
The bill, which was filed last week in the New York State Assembly, specifically targets Chick-fil-A and other food vendors operating at rest stops owned by the State Thruway Authority, requiring them to be open seven days a week. This move has received strong pushback from the fast-food chain and its supporters, owing to Chick-fil-A’s long-standing tradition of closing on Sundays in accordance with the religious beliefs of its founder, S. Truett Cathy.
In response to an article about the bill, Graham took to Twitter, declaring, “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 senator emphasized that Chick-fil-A’s decision to close on Sundays is consistent with their faith, and any attempt to reverse this decision would go against American values.
The bill’s sponsor, Manhattan Assemblyman Tony Simone, defended the legislation, stating that public service areas should use their space to maximally benefit the public, and that finding a restaurant closed on the Thruway is not in the public good.
Amid the heated exchange, the conflict between New York and South Carolina over Chick-fil-A’s operating hours shows no signs of slowing down, setting the stage for a potential showdown between state and federal authorities.