Client Fires GOP Lobbyist for Drafting Bill to Ban Gays From the NFL

It appears as though Jack Burkman, the Republican lobbyist and Fox News commentator who thrust himself into the news Monday with the announcement that he planned to draft legislation banning gay athletes from playing in the NFL, is about to get hit where it hurts Republicans the worst - in the wallet.

ThinkProgress reports that California-based green energy solutions firm DC Solar Solutions fired Burkman's firm from representing their company's interests over his anti-gay comments. A joint press release issued by the company's CEO and COO Tuesday stated they have "severed ties" with Burkman & Associates "effective immediately."

DC Solar's press release reads:

"DC Solar does not condone or support Mr. Burkman's homophobic views, and since learning about his misguided efforts to write legislation banning gay athletes from the NFL, we have ended our relationship with him. DC Solar values diversity within our company and within our communities, and we do not tolerate discrimination of any sort. As a company working to address issues about our country's future, we have no intention of working with those who are stuck in the past."

DC Solar Solutions move to fire Burkman is the latest and loudest negative reaction to the powerful DC lobbyist's proposed anti-gay legislation. According to a previous article in Think Progress several of Burkman's other clients, many of whom are LGBT or pro-LGBT allies are equally upset with him.

"I believe in doing things that will bring this country together, not pull it apart," said Bruce Brimacombe, whose electric car company GOE3 spent $32,000 with Burkman's firm in 2013.

"I think those positions are a little bizarre. It certainly wouldn't be anything the company would participate in, [they're] not our values at all," said Burkman & Associate client Ed St. Amour of GPROP.

David Sher of Greenbacker Renewable Energy told Think Progress "I personally do not agree with his positions nor are they the positions of Greenbacker."

As previously reported on EDGE , Burkman announced via press release Monday that he was working on legislation that would ban gays from joining the NFL.

"We are losing our decency as a nation," Burkman said in his press release. "Imagine your son being forced to shower with a gay man. That's a horrifying prospect for every mom in the country. What in the world has this nation come to?"

The impetus behind Burkman's bill was the recent coming out of college All-American football star Michael Sam, a likely mid-round draft pick who is poised to become the first openly gay player in the NFL.

"If the NFL has no morals and no values, then Congress must find values for it," said Burkman.

According to The Hill, Burkman's Burkman & Associates is the number one lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. In 2013, the firm signed 70 new clients, more than any other D.C. firm.