DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) — With strong bipartisan support the Texas Senate has approved a bill that would require professional sports teams with government contracts to play the national anthem before each game.
The Texas Tribune reports ten of the 13 Senate Democrats crossed the aisle and voted with all 18 Republicans in support of the bill. The two opposing votes were cast by Democrats Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, of Austin, and Sen. Nathan Johnson, of Dallas. Democratic Sen. José Menéndez was absent.
Republlican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made the issue a priority after Mark Cuban stopped playing the anthem before Dallas Mavericks games in February. The Mavs owner previously had endorsed players taking a knee during the anthem to protest racial injustice. That infuriated conservatives, notably the lieutenant governor who Tweeted to Cuban, “Sell the franchise & some Texas Patriots will buy it. We ARE the land of free & the home of the brave.”
