U.S. News
Democrat’s Bill Threatens To Shatter Chick-fil-A’s Sunday Tradition
"Retail Chick-fil-A" by ccPixs.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0 
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Clear Facts
- Assemblyman Tony Simone, a New York Democrat, has introduced a bill that could force Chick-fil-A, a Christian-owned restaurant chain, to open on Sundays or risk removal from a major highway system in the state.
- The bill, A08336, mandates that the New York State Thruway Authority only continue or enter into contracts with businesses that operate seven days a week.
- There are currently seven Chick-fil-A restaurants on the interstate that would be impacted by the bill, with at least three more planned for construction.
Assemblyman Tony Simone, a Democrat from New York, has introduced a bill that could compel the Christian-owned restaurant chain Chick-fil-A to operate on Sundays. If the bill passes, failure to comply could result in the removal of numerous Chick-fil-A restaurants from a significant highway system in the state.
Simone, who has been vocal about his belief that Chick-fil-A has a “terrible record on LGBT rights,” authored Bill A08336. The bill seeks to mandate that the New York State Thruway Authority only continue or enter into contracts with businesses that remain open all seven days of the week.
“Chick-fil-A has had a terrible record on LGBT rights,” Simone stated to the New York Post. “I’m not going to not say that clearly.”
He further stated, “To serve New Yorkers and travelers, things should be open seven days a week, including Chick-fil-A, and if they can’t they shouldn’t be in our rest stops. There should be options for people to eat and drink and not just one spot.”
It’s worth noting that there is already a standard in place requiring at least one hot-food option to be open and available at these rest stops every day of the week. This standard is designed to better accommodate travelers and truckers. If Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays at a given rest stop, another restaurant is open.
Thruway spokesperson Jennifer Givner explained, “Our requirement is that we have at least one hot food option available. If Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays we have other alternatives for our customers.”
Currently, there are seven Chick-fil-A restaurants on the interstate that would be affected by the bill. Additionally, at least three more of the restaurants are slated to be built.
Chick-fil-A is known for its practice of closing on Sundays for religious reasons. “Closing our business on Sunday, the Lord’s Day, is our way of honoring God and showing our loyalty to Him,” Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy wrote in his book, “Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People.”
Cathy further wrote, “My children have committed to closing our restaurants on Sundays long after I’m gone. I believe God honors our decision and sets before us unexpected opportunities to do greater work for Him because of our loyalty.”
This latest move against Chick-fil-A comes three years after three New York state legislators sent a letter to the executive director of the state Thruway Authority. They urged him to “reexamine” the approval of Chick-fil-A to open locations along the highway system, citing a public stance against same-sex marriage from the restaurants’ ownership.
Clear Thoughts (op-ed)
Assemblyman Tony Simone’s bill is another example of the left’s unending assault on religious freedom.
The proposed legislation is not about ensuring food availability, as there are already provisions in place to ensure travelers have access to hot food every day of the week.
Instead, it is a clear attempt to force a Christian-owned company to abandon its religious principles.
Chick-fil-A’s decision to close on Sundays is a deeply held belief, one that they should not have to compromise because of a misguided political agenda.
The continued targeting of Chick-fil-A’s religious beliefs is a worrying sign of the left’s growing intolerance towards traditional American values.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
CandygramForMongo
December 31, 2023 at 6:36 am
Obviously this clown is a cock smoking loser! Let Chick-fil-A alone, you hellbound phucktard!! Godless piece of💩💩💩💩💩
Billy Boykin
December 31, 2023 at 9:44 pm
First Amendment of the bill of rights states we have freedom of religion.
Leave Chick alone!!!
Donna
December 31, 2023 at 6:52 am
I hope Chick-fil-A does not back down due to it’s religious beliefs. I stand behind them . Honor God and see what happens. Is it about God or is it about money. What is the idol here. Back in the day everything closed on Sunday, that was a time for family, church, fried chicken. Good ol days. Let’s big it back….Let’s honor God
mountainman
December 31, 2023 at 6:56 am
I think it is assinine to try to use the law to make people think and act like others. Where is the diversity in that or is it just another hypocrisy coming from the liberal democrats. I think Chic fil A should stand their ground, they have my support.
Ann Windham
December 31, 2023 at 7:10 am
This is just another way of the government trying to control our lives. Leave Chik-fil-A alone and let them run their business like they want to. Evidently the democrats don’t believe in God!!
Greg Klein
December 31, 2023 at 7:13 am
If you really think God GAF if you eat a chicken sandwich on Sunday, your problems are bigger than this.
Weasler
December 31, 2023 at 1:46 pm
It’s not what you eat, moron. That’s not the issue. The issue is working on the sabbath. Don’t like that? Then stay in Greenwich Village on Sundays with your child-molesting fudge packer friends.
Ronald Madden
March 30, 2024 at 9:29 pm
Chick fila should pack up and leave New York,they would be better off!
Belinda Thompson
December 31, 2023 at 7:20 am
I am a Christian and I believe that if a business wants to close, they should be allowed. I am sure there is another that would be glad to open. No one’s right should over shadow another’s. What is the purpose or reasons why Christians are forced to accommodate anyone else when there are other alternatives for them except to take away their rights. For example to go to a Christian baker and want or demand something when they can go to another baker and get what they want??!
Tami Wilhelm
December 31, 2023 at 11:31 am
We the people should decide how we do or do not support private business. If a business chooses to have a day off, for any reason, it should not be within the governments purview to get in the way. If the state decides that interstate commerce should have plenty of hot food options then establishing a ratio of open to closed establishment is reasonable. But any clear effort to target a brand for ideological reasons should be categorically rejected. And those responsible ejected at the voters next available opportunity to vote them out. We must regain our ability to tolerate those we disagree with. Having an opinion is not grounds for cancelation. And making a sandwich does not violate any human or civil right as long as no one is refused service based on their race, gender or sex.
DJ
December 31, 2023 at 7:37 am
I would close my business and relocate somewhere else.
Tim kennedy
December 31, 2023 at 2:28 pm
I agree. I would close all of them along that interstate!
Colby Goodson
December 31, 2023 at 8:55 am
I’m sure other restaurants would love for CFA to be closed on Sunday. They would probably reject the bill.
Brock
December 31, 2023 at 10:20 am
If Chick-fil-A is forced to open on Sundays, then they’ll be exhibiting their horrible track record with LGBTQ etc. etc. over 14% more than they currently are! That politician should rethink his hateful rhetoric! 🤣🤪
Linda A Morgan
December 31, 2023 at 11:34 am
Another commie that shouldn’t be in any public office. We should impeach him for hate speech, legislation etc.
Angie
December 31, 2023 at 11:51 am
I believe they should be able to open and close when they want to.
Sid Abma
December 31, 2023 at 12:03 pm
I agree with Linda. Impeach those that apply Hate Speech want to create Hate Legislation.
There is enough hate and division in America, we don’t need any more.
For those that don’t like Chick-fil-A and how they operate, it’s simple- start a competing food chain.
Quit your belly aching.
EMMA
December 31, 2023 at 1:03 pm
WHEN WE WHERE GROWING UP, THERE WAS NO BUSINESS OPEN ON SUNDAYS OR HOLIDAYS FOR X-MAS THE STORES CLOSED FOR 2 DAYS, BUT HERE WE NEED STORES OPEN 24-7. SO CRIMINALS CAN STEAL MORE. IT IS NOT OUR GOVERNMENTS JOB TO TELL ANYONE WHAT STORE HRS THEY SHOULD HAVE. WE LOVECHICK-FIL-A STAY STRONG. NO ONE SHOULD WORK ON SUNDAYS.
Weasler
December 31, 2023 at 1:44 pm
So now the Democrats want to force people to work. I guess that goes back to their support of slavery during the Ante Bellum period.
Weasler
December 31, 2023 at 1:52 pm
We were on the NYS Thruway on Thursday. We stopped for coffee at one of the highway rest stops. There was a Chick-fil-A there, and the lines for them were very long. If there any animosity toward Chick-fil-A for maintaining their religious convictions, it sure did not show.
Camille Gilliam
December 31, 2023 at 2:21 pm
I remember when stores were closed on Sundays, too. Things were much better because people had the time to go to church. Where I lived growing up, the drugstores would take on sunday to be open for emergencies, it wasn’t all about the greed.
I give Chick-fil-A alot of credit for having faith in God and putting that first.
STAN
December 31, 2023 at 2:26 pm
CERTAINLY SOUNDS JUST LIKE DUMBARATS HARD AT WORK TRYING TO SCREW AS MANY PATRIOTIC PEOPLE FROM DOING WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AND NOT WHAT THE GOV WANTS THEM TO DO.WHEN WILL THE MORONS OF EVERY STATE THAT VOTES DUMBARATS INTO OFFICE WILL ONLY BE VOTING TO GET SCREWED IN THE LONG RUN. WAKE UP PEOPLE THE CROOKED DEMS COULD CARE LESS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES,ALL THEY WANT ARE THE VOTES TO KEEP THEM IN OFFICE SO THEY CAN KEEP STEALING FROM AMERICA. GOD HELP US ALL AND GOD BLESS PRESIDENT TRUMP OUR TRUE PRESIDENT. SEMPER FI.
janet
December 31, 2023 at 2:38 pm
Chick-fil-a should be able to work the hours they desire. People have a choice where they eat as well Here in my NC small town all stores close Saturday afternoon
.This is going back to the PA Blue Laws, so we had time to worship and enjoy some free time…..Chick-fil-a employees should have that, too. Just because Simone doesn’t worship doesn’t give him the right to control others lives.
Daniel Gray
December 31, 2023 at 2:48 pm
Makes no difference what He wants. The Supreme Court has already ruled in numerous cases that no state or any part of the federal government can make a law that forces a person or a business to violate their 1st Amendment religious freedoms. So let him go ahead, and if Chick-fil-A wants to legally challenge him he will lose. This is the same dumbarse that tried to stop Chick-fil-A from even being able to open stores along the NY toll road and lost so badly that I was sure he would vanish and nobody would ever hear from him again. Just goes to show that NY needs to put in a law that says if you want to introduce a bill then you need to make sure that it does not violate federal law or a SCOTUS decision or it wont be accepted.
Hallie
December 31, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Chick-fil-A is entitled to practice religious freedom. Travelers have other restaurants to choose from on Sunday. What other beliefs and practises Chick-filet-A has should not be rolled into their performance as an excellent restaurant at the rest stops.
Robert Maynard
January 1, 2024 at 8:18 pm
If losing money is the only reason for not staying open, then lose that money, God will show another place that will make up that money. Follow gods will keep the restaurants closed on Sunday and if necessary move on to better things. Do not let the misguided politicians change the tried and true.
Miss Terry L Tappan
February 8, 2024 at 11:49 pm
I think that’s a bunch of garbage we absolutely need to get these jerks
completely out of every office.We need America first,God fearing, Patrioticic Americans, or Vetrans in office instead. I am sick of this crap excuse my mouth. But you know the greatest thing that will be when Jesus comes and all the Democrats pass themselves lol
Mary E. Schneider
January 2, 2024 at 6:41 pm
..and on the 7th day he rested. As we are also to do. If you patronize a Restuarant that is open on Sunday, you’re forcing their workers to work on Sunday. I think this is wrong in God’s eyes. I cook very simple on Sundays. I believe Chick-fil-a should continue to run their business as they believe it should be. God will honor them for it.
Filmaker
February 20, 2024 at 8:53 am
Chick-fil-A should beat them to the punch and close all affected restaraunts at once. Now that they’ve raised the ire of the Alphabet Soup Group and the Bend Over Backwards Bastards, they’re going to lose, at least in the short term. Might as well make them look as bad as possible now.
Joseph Ippolito
February 22, 2024 at 9:29 am
This bill is interesting in its hypocrisy. Will another bill require those of the Jewish faith to work on Saturdays? I doubt it. Or, will another bill require Jewish-owned businesses to remain open on Saturdays? I doubt it. Is the First Amendment suspended only in the case of Chick fil A? Or is this a tactic to compel compliance or face the costs of extended litigation (which is often quite costly) to challenge the new law?