Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has introduced a bill to Congress that requires all American flags flown at federal buildings and other properties must be made in the USA.
The New York congresswoman argues that the flags must be part of the values they represent.
“The American flag is an enduring symbol that represents the freedoms we enjoy as Americans and a way to show our patriotism,” Stefanik said in a statement.
“Several small businesses across America, including Upstate New York and the North Country, share their American pride by making and selling flags.”
I introduced legislation that would require all federal American flags to be made in America.
American flags should be made in America. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
More in @SunCmtyNews 👇👇👇https://t.co/tytQTU5Rha
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) July 7, 2022
According to The Sun: “The Make American Flags in America Act also requires the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study on the enforcement and violations of country-of-origin labeling requirements for American flags sold in the U.S. to ensure the integrity of American-made products for consumers.
“According to the Flag Manufacturers Association of America, 94% of American flags are manufactured in the U.S. Currently, 100% of flags bought by the Department of Defense are manufactured in the U.S., but other federal agencies are only required to purchase flags that are only 50% manufactured in the U.S.”
The bill says:
(a) DISPLAY ON FEDERAL PROPERTY.— A Federal agency may not display a flag of the United States on Federal property unless such flag has been made in the United States.
(b) PROCUREMENT BY FEDERAL AGENCIES.— Funds appropriated or otherwise made available to a Fed11 eral agency may not be used for the procurement of a flag of the United States unless such flag has been made in the United States.
(c) INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS.— This section shall be applied in a manner consistent with the obligations of the United States under international agreements.
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.— Nothing in this sec18 tion may be construed to apply to the display or procure19 ment of a flag of the United States by a private actor.
(e) DEFINITIONS.— In this section:
(1) FEDERAL AGENCY.— The term ‘Federal agency’ means each instrumentality of the Federal Government.
(2) FEDERAL PROPERTY.— The term ‘Federal property’ means real property owned, leased, ocupied by a Federal agency or an instrumentality wholly owned by the United States.
(3) MADE IN THE UNITED STATES.— The term ‘made in the United States’ means 100 percent manufactured in the United States from articles, materials, or supplies that have been 100 percent produced or manufactured in the United States.
(4) UNITED STATES.— The term ‘United States’, when used in a geographic sense, includes each of the several States, the District of Columbia, Tribal lands, and the territories or possessions of theUnited States.
Read the full bill here.
