Another Day, Another Burr Position on HB2

Press Release

Less than one week after fully reversing his position on HB2 after the most recent Public Policy Polling Survey found HB2 was "very unpopular," and then going silent a day later, the political winds have blown again and Richard Burr has changed his position on HB2.

Today, Burr wants to have it both ways, saying the City of Charlotte "created the problem," while also claiming "he supports most of the bill but takes issue with two components." After months of holding firm with his position that the bill does not discriminate, wasn't a federal issue, and would not hurt the state's economy, Burr can't decide where he stands -- or what he stands for.

Burr's many positions on HB2 highlight a constant theme for the man who has spent more than two decades in Washington: his positions shift with the political winds. Today was only the latest development in Burr's constant evolution on HB2. Check out the full timeline, and then keep an eye on the political winds to see where Burr will land next.

Statement from Cole Leiter. Ross Press Secretary:

"Burr's willingness to say anything, or take any position based on what works for him politically represents everything that's wrong with Washington -- politicians putting their own interests ahead of those who elect them. When this bill was hurting North Carolina's workers and our state's reputation, Richard Burr was silent. But now that Burr's re-election is in danger he can't figure out which way the wind is blowing. Richard Burr will say anything -- or nothing, to save his job, no matter the consequences to our state. It's time for a change. North Carolina needs a Senator who has the courage to stand up -- and stand firm -- for what's right from the start."

ICYMI: ABC11: Sen. Burr Says it is Time to Roll Back Parts of HB2

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- North Carolina's senior U.S. Senator, Richard Burr, says the state should make changes to the controversial new law known as House Bill 2.

Sen. Burr says he supports most of the bill but takes issue with two components: one that strips people of their right to sue for discrimination at the state level, the other regarding the "bathroom portion" of the bill.

HB2 was designed to block a Charlotte non-discrimination ordinance, part of which allowed transgender people to use bathrooms and locker rooms of the gender they identify with. The state law requires people to use the restroom according to their biological sex listed on their birth certificate in government buildings, schools, and universities.

The law also excludes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from anti-discrimination protections and blocks municipalities from adopting their own anti-discrimination and living wage rules.

"It's now time," Burr told ABC11 after a Raleigh event, "for the General Assembly to take the opportunity that if we can roll this back, that it's probably in the best interests of North Carolina."

Burr didn't elaborate on why but did criticize the city of Charlotte, saying it's also time for the Queen City to take responsibility for its role in the backlash since House Bill 2 was passed. "I think the legislature should go back and look at what they did, talk with Charlotte and figure out, as it relates to bathroom issue, there can be resolution. There didn't seem to be a problem before. Charlotte created the problem and the General Assembly further created a problem."

The idea that Charlotte shares responsibility for what's happening in North Carolina is something critics take issue with. "Senator Burr is doing a bit of political posturing here," said Rep. Chris Sgro, a Greensboro Democrat that also heads up Equality NC. "Charlotte's ordinance mirrors a hundred-plus ordinances across the country that are best practices. No city has ever seen the NBA tournament or NCAA basketball or Paypal leave because they passed a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance."

And while neither basketball tournament has been yanked from North Carolina, both leading organizations have made it clear they take issue with House Bill 2 as policy.

Sgro said there's a petition making its way around the legislature to force an up or down vote on repealing House Bill 2. He say 61 signatures are required to force a vote on the floor. They have about 30 signatures so far.

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