A law requiring that all American flags purchased by the federal government be manufactured entirely in the United States was sent to the White House Thursday for final approval.
Sponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and co-sponsored by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Joe Manchin (I-WV), and Gary Peters (D-MI), this bipartisan legislation was approved with Unanimous Consent in the Senate and by a voice vote in the House.
Titled the “All-American Flag Act,” this law would require the government to buy only flags that have been fully produced domestically using only materials that have been sourced from within the United States.
“The American flag serves as a symbol of our identity, resolve, and values as one people,” Sen. Collins said in a press release Friday.
“To honor its significance, the federal government should only use flags entirely manufactured in the United States,” Collins continued. “This bipartisan legislation would ensure that the symbol of our nation is preserved while supporting American jobs and manufacturers.”
Click Here to Read Sen. Collins Full Press Release
According to Collins’ statement, the federal government is currently only required to buy flags that contain fifty percent American-made materials.
Data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Census shows that the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags was $4.4 million in 2015. Of this, $4 million worth of imported flags came from China.
In 2017, the United States imported 10 million American flags, all but 50,000 of which came from China.
This legislation includes exceptions to the hundred-percent American-made standard should domestically-produced flags be unavailable, as well as for vessels sailing in foreign waters.
The president may also waive this requirement if necessary to comply with a trade agreement to which the United States is a party.
If signed into law, this requirement would apply to any contract entered into on or after 180 days following the legislation’s enactment date.
Click Here to Read the Full Text of This Bill
Note: This article has been updated to correctly reflect Sen. Joe Manchin’s registration as an Independent.
