Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Aug. 14 directed a review of all state grants to Texas airport operators and referred two airports to the Transportation Department over what he called illegal religious discrimination.
The review could result in revoked active grants or denied future awards. Abbott named Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
In an Aug. 14 letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Abbott asked the Transportation Department and Federal Aviation Administration to review the religious facilities and accommodations and take “appropriate corrective action.”
The letter cites a Fox News report for DFW’s planned Islamic ablution facilities and a Houston Airports release for IAH’s existing facility and interconnecting prayer room. Virginia Times has not independently verified the facility details.
The facilities “appear designed to single out one subset of the population” for religion-based special treatment, Abbott said. He called that illegal and argued government cannot favor one religious view over all others.
Both airports are government-owned and receive federal funds, Abbott wrote. He said grant recipients must comply with anti-discrimination laws. Neither airport is quoted in the announcement.
This is a developing story. Virginia Times will update as information becomes available.
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