American Airlines is ‘strongly opposed’ to a Texas bill that restricts voting access
American Airlines’ company leadership is “strongly opposed” to a bill that the Texas state Senate passed early Thursday that would limit voting access.
The Fort Worth-based airline issued a statement hours after Texas state legislators passed the bill, which among other things would limit extended early voting hours and prohibit drive-through voting. Senate Bill 7 also would prohibit local election officials from sending out vote by mail applications to people who didn’t request one.
“Earlier this morning, the Texas State Senate passed legislation with provisions that limit voting access. To make American’s stance clear: We are strongly opposed to this bill and others like it,” American Airlines said in a statement. “As a Texas-based business, we must stand up for the rights of our team members and customers who call Texas home, and honor the sacrifices made by generations of Americans to protect and expand the right to vote.”
The move by American comes days after several Georgia-based companies, including competitor Delta Air Lines as well as Coca-Cola and Home Depot, faced a boycott from customers for not opposing voting restrictions that have already passed and been signed into law in that state.
Here is the remainder of American’s statement on the issue, which was released just before 4:30 p.m. Central time Thursday:
“Voting is the hallmark of our democracy, and is the foundation of our great country. We value the democratic process and believe every eligible American should be allowed to exercise their right to vote, no matter which political party or candidate they support.
“We acknowledge how difficult this is for many who have fought to secure and exercise their constitutional right to vote. Any legislation dealing with how elections are conducted must ensure ballot integrity and security while making it easier to vote, not harder. At American, we believe we should break down barriers to diversity, equity and inclusion in our society — not create them.”
After the statement was released, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he was “stunned” by the company’s comments as just minutes before their government relations representative called his office and “admitted that neither he nor the American Airlines CEO had actually read the legislation.”
“Texans are fed up with corporations that don’t share our values trying to dictate public policy,” Patrick said in a statement.
“The majority of Texans support maintaining the integrity of our elections, which is why I made it a priority this legislative session. Senate Bill 7 includes comprehensive reforms that will ensure voting in Texas is consistent statewide and secure.”
Staff writer Eleanor Dearman contributed to this report.
This story was originally published April 1, 2021 at 5:10 PM.
