Texas GOP Representatives have voted to approve a bill that would pull funding from state schools that choose not to play the national anthem before athletic events.
On Monday, Republican legislators in Texas moved to pass a bill called the “Star Bangled Banner Protection Act,” which would put an end to state schools receiving state funding. It would also possibly order schools to “repay any money paid to the team by this state or any governmental entity” if they don’t play the anthem before athletic events.
According to The Hill, the bill was passed in the House and is now on its way to Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, which is expected to be decided on by Tuesday. However, people on the opposite end say the move goes against constitutional rights.
“Once again, we’re carrying legislation that is openly and aggressively unconstitutional,” said state Rep. Gene Wu (D). In an attempt to resolve the matter, Wu moved to allow the House to vote in favor of the anthem but not force the position with a law, the news outlet reports. Regardless, State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R) said the bill would not violate free speech.
“It’s very simple. If they do not want to play the national anthem, they don’t take the tax dollars,” Burrows said, according to The Texas Tribune. “If we’re going to go ahead and subsidize with hard-earned American dollars the sporting facilities and the teams in the different ways that I think is articulated in this bill, then this would apply.”
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