Republican sensors. Mike lee
Michael (Mike) Shumway LeeHillicon Valley: Supreme Court Rules Facebook Text Alerts Not Similar to robocalls | Republicans pressure Google, Apple, Amazon on Parler removals | Texas Senate Stops Social Media Platforms From Banning Users For Political Motives Republicans Pressure Google, Apple, Amazon Over Parler’s Removals The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden Changes Filibuster MORE (Utah) and Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward Cruz O’Rourke Clarifies Comments, Leaves Door Open to Run for Governor O’Rourke Says He Doesn’t Plan to Run for Texas Gov. Ocasio-Cortez to Cruz: His Resignation is 84 Days Late MORE (Texas) joined calls to end MLB’s antitrust exemption following its decision to withdraw the 2021 All-Star Game from Atlanta.
MLB announced the move on Friday, saying it would relocate the game. in protest of Georgia’s voting restrictions enacted last week. The decision has caused a pushback from Republican lawmakers across the country.
Republican representative Jeff Duncan
Jeffrey (Jeff) Darren Duncan Republican senators push to end MLB antitrust status Trump calls for boycott of MLB for moving the All-Star Game Republicans criticize MLB for moving the All-Star Game MORE (SC) said early Friday that had told his staff to begin drafting legislation to remove MLB’s decades-old antitrust exemption “In light of @ MLB’s stance to undermine electoral integrity laws.”
“An overwhelming bipartisan majority of Americans support requiring identification to vote, and any organization that abuses its power to oppose safe elections deserves greater scrutiny under the law,” he added.
Hours later, Lee retweeted Duncan’s post, adding: “Why does @MLB still have antitrust immunity? ”
“It is time for the federal government to stop granting special privileges to specific favored corporations, especially those that punish their political opponents,” the Utah senator wrote.
Because @MLB still have antitrust immunity? It is time for the federal government to stop granting special privileges to specific favored corporations, especially those that punish their political opponents. https://t.co/k3GIZuGYHB
– Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) April 2, 2021
Cruz indicated his support for Lee’s statement, tweeting that his colleague was “EXACTLY right.”
“@SenMikeLee and I will work hard to END MLB antitrust immunity,” Cruz wrote, adding the hashtag “#GowokeGobroke.”
Exactly correct. AND @SenMikeLee & I will work hard to END MLB’s antitrust immunity.#GowokeGobroke https://t.co/NuERnvF8FT
– Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 2, 2021
Later on Friday, Cruz tweeted a link to the list of official MLB corporate sponsors, which the Texas senator said “pushed for the All-Star Game out of Atlanta.”
“Is everyone opposed to voter identification?” Cruz wrote. “Is everyone willing to be the enforcer of the corrupt Democratic Party? And does everyone hate the 75 million who voted for Trump? ”
These are the corporate sponsors of MLB, who pushed to get the All Star game out of Atlanta.
Is everyone opposed to voter identification?
Is everyone willing to be the enforcers of the corrupt Democratic Party?
And does everyone hate the 75 million who voted for Trump? https://t.co/cuOXYFO9Gv
– Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 3, 2021
Baseball’s antitrust exemption dates back to a 1922 Supreme Court decision, and under the 1998 law Curt Flood Act passed by Congress, MLB players retain the same rights as other professional athletes under antitrust laws, but other aspects of the sport are exempt, including franchise relocation and broadcast negotiations.
Other professional sports leagues, including the NFL and the NBA, do not have this exemption.
MLB early Friday announced his decision to withdraw the All-Star Game from the state of Peach amid growing calls to boycott businesses and events in Georgia that did not condemn the state’s recently enacted ballot measures. The law requires voters to have photo identification to submit an absentee ballot and limits the number of polling place locations, among other provisions.
Democrats and voting rights activists have condemned the law, arguing that it will make it disproportionately difficult for voters of color to make their voices heard in elections.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred defended the league’s decision to move the game, writing in a statement that it is “the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport.”
“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports the voting rights of all Americans and opposes restrictions on the polls,” he added.