AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Muslim washing stations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and a similar facility that Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport recently decided not to install, arguing that the facilities amount to religious discrimination.
Abbott made the referral nearly a week after he threatened to review state grants to DFW and IAH over religious accommodations at the airports.
In a letter to the DOJ, Abbott asked federal officials to review what he called “discriminatory facilities” and take corrective action. He argued that the washing stations single out Muslims for special treatment and noted that airports do not provide similar standalone facilities for other religious groups.
“Airports can no more offer Muslim-only bathroom spaces than they can maintain white-only bathrooms,” Abbott said in the letter.
Abbott said federal authorities have primary responsibility for security and access within airport terminals and can regulate terminal facilities. He also cited federal funding requirements that prohibit discrimination.
Abbott said he also plans to review Texas law regarding the issue.
DFW officials announced last week that they would not proceed with plans to install washing stations for Muslim travelers after accelerating a review of the project amid public attention. The airport said the project would not provide the expected operational benefits.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire disputed Abbott’s characterization of the facilities at IAH.
Whitmire said the airport’s international expansion program was funded through fees charged to international airlines and did not use city taxpayer money or federal or state grants.
He also said IAH has interfaith chapels in addition to washing stations and that the facilities are open to travelers, employees and other stakeholders with access to Terminal D, regardless of faith.
“Nobody receives preferential access, and nobody is excluded,” Whitmire said. “The facilities at IAH have always been non-denominational and open to all.”
Abbott directed his concerns to federal officials as the dispute over religious accommodations at Texas airports continues.
