Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and Iowa Senator Bruce Braley are pushing the federal government to only purchase American-made U.S. flags.
According to his website, Braley said Americans’ taxes should go to flags made in the United States.
“Allowing the government to purchase flags from foreign countries is embarrassing to America’s greatest symbol,” Braley said. “There are many companies here in the US that proudly manufactures American flags.”
Bustos agrees that taxpayer money should be used to purchase flags made by Americans.
“During my recent veterans listening tour of Illinois, I heard time and again from our veterans that they were disappointed that far too many American flags were actually made overseas,” Bustos said.
The two lawmakers, along with Peter King- a U.S. Representative for New York and Mike Thompson- a U.S. Representative for California, are reintroducing the All-American Flag Act. The act would require the federal government to purchase flags entirely manufactured in America.
The current law requires the government to purchase flags that are half made of American materials.
According to the Library of Congress, the bill was introduced to the U.S. Senate on June 24, 2013. Should the All-American Flag Act be approved, it would take effect six months after being enacted.
According to the U.S. Census, in 2011, $3.6 million of U.S. money was spent on importing American flags; of that amount. $3.3 million worth of imported flags came from China.
