Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced that the Star Spangled Banner Protection Act, Senate Bill 4, will be among his legislative priorities this session. The purpose of the bill is to ensure that the national anthem is played at all events which receive public funding:
“It is hard to believe this could happen in Texas, but Mark Cuban’s actions of yesterday (February 9th) made it clear that we must specify that in Texas, we play the national anthem before all major events. In this time when so many things divide us, sports are one thing that bring us together — right, left, black, white and brown. This legislation already enjoys broad support. I am certain it will pass, and the Star Spangled Banner will not be threatened in the Lone Star State again.”