In a bipartisan effort, U.S. lawmakers have passed a proposal that would require the federal government to purchase American flags made entirely in the United States. The All-American Flag Act, introduced by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), has cleared both the Senate and House of Representatives, and now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature.
The legislation aims to promote American manufacturing and jobs by mandating that federal agencies only purchase U.S. flags made domestically. Currently, the federal government is only required to purchase flags made with at least 50 percent American-made materials, which means that the remaining materials can be sourced from countries like China.
According to a press release from Collins’ office, the U.S. imported over 10 million American flags in 2017, including 50,000 from China. Brown’s office noted that this means that half of the materials in flags flown at military bases and federal buildings can be made in China.
The bill includes a provision that allows the president to issue a waiver if necessary to comply with international trade agreements. However, lawmakers are urging the president to sign the bill into law without delay.
Collins emphasized the importance of preserving the symbol of the American flag, saying, “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.”
Brown concurred, stating, “American flags should be made in America, period.” He added that the bill’s passage is a major victory for American workers and manufacturers, and urged the president to sign the bill into law without delay.
