Graham on New York bill to keep Chick-fil-A open on Sundays: 'You're in for one hell of a fight'

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.C.) has redoubled his efforts to repeal a New York state bill that would require new restaurants opening at highway rest stops to offer service seven days a week.

Graham focused his anger on the impact the bill would have on Chick-fil-A, which has a long-standing policy of closing Sundays in observance of the Sabbath, to allow employees to “worship if they so choose,” according to company policy.

In an interview Thursday on “Fox & Friends” — and a subsequent post on the platform formerly known as Twitter — Graham made clear he has no intention of backing down anytime soon.

“The bottom line is: Conservatives are tolerant. We're, you know, kind of getting out of your business – 'Leave me alone;' Leave me alone.” “I'll leave you alone,” he said. “It's time to fight back.”

“I'm sure this is a publicity stunt, but the idea that the state of New York would make the company change the policies it's had since its founding. They want to have a day off for their employees to get to know the Lord. They can do that,” he said.

“And the people in New York who are promoting this: You are in for a hell of a fight,” he said in the interview.

Graham made the New York state bill the focus of his attention for the first time when he declared on the X show last week that “this is war.”

He continued to threaten to introduce legislation that would withhold federal funds from cities that require fast food chains to remain open on Sundays.

“The founders of Chick-fil-A made the decision early on to close on Sunday, consistent with their faith,” the South Carolina senator said at the time. “For any government to attempt to reverse this decision flies in the face of who we are as Americans.”

Graham then took a trip to a Chick-fil-A store location in New York and affirmed his commitment to fighting the bill.

New York State Rep. Tony Simon (D), who introduced the bill earlier this month, said it aims to provide New York travelers with diverse food options at rest stops, the Associated Press reported. The bill would not apply to currently operating restaurants, meaning its impact on existing Chick-fil-A locations would be limited, the news outlet added.