The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan All-American Flag Act, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) announced on November 2, 2023. The bill would require the federal government to buy only flags made entirely in the USA from USA materials.
What the bill changes
- Under current rules, federal agencies can buy flags made with only 50 percent USA materials.
- The bill would require flags produced entirely with USA materials and manufactured completely in the USA.
- It passed the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in July 2023 with support from both parties.
Why it matters
Brown’s office cited Commerce Department and Census data showing $4.4 million in U.S. flag imports in 2015, $4 million of it from China. It said the USA imported 10 million American flags in 2017, and all but 50,000 came from China. Brown first introduced the bill in 2011.
“American flags should be made in America, period.”
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)
The bill still needed House action after the Senate vote. It was later signed into law; see our coverage of the signing.
FAQ
What does the All-American Flag Act do?
It requires federal agencies to buy U.S. flags made entirely in the USA from USA materials.
What was the old rule?
Flags needed only 50 percent USA materials.
How did the Senate vote?
It passed unanimously.
Source & credit
Source: Office of Sen. Sherrod Brown, November 2, 2023: “Breaking: Senate Passes Brown’s Bill To Make American Flags In America”.