Proposed Legislation: All American Flag Act
Published on
July 27, 2022 at 11:44:56 AM PDT July 27, 2022 at 11:44:56 AM PDTth, July 27, 2022 at 11:44:56 AM PDT
Last month, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (Democrat, Ohio), Susan Collins (Republican, Maine), Joe Manchin (Democrat, West Virginia) and Rick Scott (Republican, Florida) introduced the All-American Flag Act, which would require the federal government to only buy flags completely produced and manufactured in the United States. This proposed bill states the following:
‘‘§6310. Requirement for agencies to buy domestically made United States flags
(a) REQUIREMENT.—Except as provided in sub- sections (b) through (d), funds appropriated or otherwise available to an agency may not be used for the procurement of any flag of the United States, unless such flag has been 100 percent manufactured in the United States from articles, materials, or supplies that have been grown or 100 percent produced or manufactured in the United States.”
Read the full proposal here or the Congressmen’s comments here.
Why is this Proposal Essential?
Currently, the federal government is only obligated to purchase flags that are created with 50% American components. According to the senators' proposed legislation, the government would be obligated to purchase only American-made flags that were totally created here. The financial worth of American flag imports into the United States in 2015 was $4.4 million, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Census. $4 million of those were imported flags, all of which were from China. 10 million American flags were brought into the country in 2017. All but 50,000 of them were from China.
Supporting American jobs and the economy by purchasing goods created in the country is crucial. Even better, purchasing from domestic businesses ensures that your items are produced in accordance with American labor laws and manufacturing standards. This legislation would further encourage American jobs and independence while ensuring that products proudly created in the United States are shown in our most visible locations.
Comments from the Senators
This measure was originally introduced by Brown and Collins. Manchin and Scott are joining as founding sponsors this year.
“American flags should be made in America, period,” Senator Brown said. “Today, half of the materials that our women and men in uniform fight under can be made in China. We have to change that. We shouldn’t use taxpayer dollars to purchase American flags made overseas when American companies – and companies right here in Ohio - proudly produce the American flag. My bipartisan All-American Flag Act would ensure that the government buys flags that are entirely produced and manufactured in America, by American workers.”
“The American flag serves as a symbol of our identity, resolve, and values as one people. To honor its significance, the federal government should only use flags entirely manufactured in the United States,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure that the symbol of our nation is preserved while supporting American jobs and manufacturers.”
“Every day, students, Veterans, soldiers, scouts and Americans pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. We salute it; we fight for it; we honor it and celebrate it,” said Senator Manchin. “I am proud to cosponsor the bipartisan All-American Flag Act to require the federal government to purchase flags produced entirely on American soil with American materials, which will create good-paying jobs and spur economic growth across the country. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important legislation and I look forward to getting it across the finish line and signed into law.”
“I am proud to join my colleagues in leading the All-American Flag Act to ensure that American flags, bought with American taxpayer dollars, flying over the property of America’s government are American made,” said Senator Scott. “There is absolutely no reason why taxpayer dollars should go to foreign governments to buy American flags. This legislation is a no-brainer. When I was governor of Florida we signed this commonsense legislation into law, and I am proud to continue this effort in the Senate. I encourage my colleagues to support its passage.”
Companion Legislation
Member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) submitted companion legislation in the House of Representatives, and Reps. Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), Tim Ryan (D-OH-13), and Adam Kinzinger have joined as cosponsors (R-IL-16).
Supporting Representatives Comments
“When a veteran expressed his concern to me about American flags made overseas, I worked across the aisle to require the Defense Department to buy American-made flags,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “I hear time and again that our veterans are disappointed that tax dollars are buying American flags made in countries like China. That’s why this week, as we observe Flag Day, I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to ensure all American flags that are with federal tax dollars are made here in America.”
“The American flag is both a symbol of our nation and its fundamental promises of freedom, justice and equality for all our people,” said Congresswoman Brown. “It only makes sense that American flags purchased with taxpayer dollars should be made right here in America. I am proud to introduce this bill with Congresswoman Bustos to honor the quintessential American symbol and support American businesses and workers.”
“There is no reason the American flag should be made anywhere other than in the United States of America,” said Congressman Ryan. “In a competition of a lifetime with China, this legislation provides us an opportunity to not only reshore jobs and bring our supply chain back home, but ensure this great American symbol is made in America, by American workers.”
“As we celebrate Flag Day this week, it’s fitting that we re-introduce this legislation that ensures American flags purchased by the government are both produced and manufactured by American workers here in the United States. This may seem like common sense, but so many of our American flag products sold here in the U.S. are made in China and elsewhere. This has to stop,” said Congressman Kinzinger. “Today, I’m proud to co-lead the All-American Flag Act and look forward to our continued work to bolster our supply chains and bring manufacturing home to America.”
Show your Support for this Proposed Legislation Today!
Carrot-Top Industries has been proud to offer exclusive Made in the USA patriotic products.
This proposed legislation would uphold American ethics and human rights, ensure safety for those manufacturing these American-made products, push forth American sustainability, support the domestic economy, encourage job and wage growth throughout the country, aids in fostering American independence and helps to withhold a high standard of quality, specifically for American flags. We are happy to add that all our American Flags are made in the USA.
Write to your congresspeople today to ensure that this legislation can move forward and encourage American patriotism, the right way. Use our template here to write to your Senators and put this proposal into law! Simply download the PDF, fill in your Senators names, print and sign your name at the bottom, fill in your address and contact information and mail it off to make a difference and let your voice be heard!