The Texas House gave preliminary approval on Monday to the so-called “Star Spangled Banner Protection Act,” a conservative-backed bill that would require any professional sports teams with contracts with the Texas state government to play the national anthem before the start of a game. Senate Bill 4 was passed on a voice vote, with no changes by the House. It is expected to receive a record vote and final passage on Tuesday and head to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. House Republicans defeated several proposed amendments along partisan lines, signaling more division on the issue in the lower chamber than was seen in ...