Colorado GOP Representative Lauren Boebert has joined the fight against Disney alongside her fellow Republican lawmakers, endorsing a bill that would eliminate two no-fly zones above Disney amusement parks. The congresswoman is one of the seven original cosponsors of HR 3109, a bill that instructs the Secretary of Transportation to abolish the exclusive no-fly zones above Disneyland in California and Disneyworld in Florida. In a statement, Boebert declared, “Woke corporations shouldn’t get any favors from the government.” This comes amid a heated disagreement between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis following Disney’s condemnation of legislation prohibiting teachers from discussing sex and gender.
Governor DeSantis, a Republican from the Sunshine State, has responded by actively trying to limit Disney’s influence in Florida. Permanent no-fly zones in the U.S. are typically located above military facilities and Washington D.C., with the restrictions above Disney’s two theme parks being enacted permanently in 2003. However, this longstanding rule could change if HR 3109, introduced on May 5th, is passed.
In her support for the bill, Boebert stated, “The FAA [Federal Aviation Authority] has no business granting a no-fly-zone over Disney parks.” She continued, “Universal Studios, Hershey Park, Six Flags, and other theme parks don’t have no-fly-zones over them, and it’s time for Disney to get the same treatment.”
Boebert further added, “No corporation should get preferential treatment from the government—especially when it is grooming children.” The congresswoman concluded her statement with a common conservative refrain, “Go woke, go broke.”
Disney has faced accusations of “grooming” from conservatives and far-right activists in response to the company’s withdrawal of support for DeSantis’ “Don’t Say Gay” law, which prevents teachers of young children from discussing sexual or gender identity. Disney also sparked criticism for featuring LGBTQ+ characters in its content.
Following the Parental Rights In Education bill’s signing into law in March 2022, Disney announced its intent to repeal the legislation. A Disney spokesperson commented that the law “should never have passed and should never have been signed into law.” Governor DeSantis has since denounced Disney’s actions, claiming the company had “crossed a line.”
Subsequently, DeSantis embarked on a series of legislative actions aimed at curtailing Disney’s influence over the estate that contains its theme park. Through the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a unique government entity, Disney has the capacity to govern local services in a similar manner to how local authorities might.
In February, a bill was introduced in Florida’s legislature that would grant Governor DeSantis the power to appoint the five board members responsible for running the district. This appointment would be subject to confirmation by state senators and would prohibit individuals who have worked for Disney within three years or their relatives from serving on the board.
Following additional legislative actions, Disney filed a federal lawsuit against DeSantis in late April, accusing the state government of punishing the company for exercising its freedom of speech. A spokesperson for the governor countered by asserting that Disney did not possess a legal right to its “special privileges.”
Disney’s CEO Bob Iger has questioned whether the company would continue to invest in Florida. Although the governor has the support of several conservative Republican lawmakers, others have voiced their disapproval of his dispute with the company.
Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas and prospective 2024 presidential candidate, told Fox News in April, “You don’t use the heavy hand of government to punish business. The left does that.”
Republican Congressman Troy Nehls of Texas, who initially introduced the legislation aimed at removing air restrictions over Disney’s resorts, argued, “Theme parks like Disney should not receive special treatment just because they are well-connected. Our national security should not be compromised to fit the needs of one corporation.”
In recent times, Disney has encountered pushback from conservatives as well as far-right individuals for various decisions, especially involving its opposition to Florida’s Parental Rights In Education bill. These challenges illustrate the ongoing tensions between certain segments of the Republican base and large corporations that are perceived to be embracing progressive values.
The proposed removal of the no-fly zones above Disney theme parks by HR 3109 highlights the growing rift between some conservative lawmakers and companies they believe are aligning with progressive principles. This bill is seen as a method to level the playing field between Disney and other competing theme park businesses, removing any potential government favoritism.
Whether or not HR 3109 passes, the ongoing feud between Disney and conservative lawmakers like Governor DeSantis serves as an important reminder of the divide between corporate America and factions within the Republican Party that take issue with what they perceive as ‘woke’ values.