House Republicans are pushing for legislation that would ban flags other than the American flag from flying over federal buildings, reigniting a debate about national symbols and unity.
At a Glance
- The “One Flag For All Act” would prohibit flying any flag other than the U.S. flag above public buildings
- Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) reintroduced the bill in response to the White House flying the pride flag
- Exemptions include POW/MIA flag, state flags, armed forces flags, and flags of visiting diplomats
- The legislation aims to codify Trump’s “One Flag Policy” and has garnered GOP support
- Critics argue the ban is divisive, while supporters say it promotes national unity
Republicans Revive Efforts to Ban Pride Flags at Federal Buildings
House Republicans are making a renewed push to restrict the display of flags at federal buildings, introducing legislation that would allow only the American flag to fly above government facilities. The “One Flag For All Act,” spearheaded by Representative Diana Harshbarger of Tennessee, aims to establish a standardized flag policy across federal properties.
The bill’s introduction follows recurring disputes over the display of LGBT “pride” flags on public facilities, particularly during President Biden’s tenure. Harshbarger explained the motivation behind the legislation, stating, “Boy, did I get emails and calls from the district, and they’re like, ‘This is unacceptable. This hasn’t happened before’,” Representative Diana Harshbarger said.
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Exceptions and Support for the Bill
While the bill primarily targets the display of “pride” flags, it does include some exceptions. The POW/MIA flag, state flags, armed forces flags, and flags of visiting diplomats would still be permitted. The legislation has garnered support from notable GOP figures, including Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas.
“Never again should a flag that promotes radical gender ideology be flown, draped, or displayed outside the White House or any other federal building. The American flag is our nation’s symbol and should be the primary flag proudly flown over government property,” Senator Roger Marshall said.
The bill aims to codify President Trump’s “One Flag Policy,” which banned flags like the Black Lives Matter and LGBT pride flags from U.S. government buildings. Supporters argue that this policy promotes national unity and emphasizes the American flag as the primary symbol of the country.
Broader Implications and Criticism
The push for this legislation is part of a broader trend seen at various levels of government. In Florida and Huntington Beach, California, local measures have sought to ban Pride flags and other non-governmental banners. These efforts have been met with criticism from civil rights organizations and LGBTQ advocates.
“Banning Pride and other flags is just petty and mean-spirited. Flying such flags is simply a signal to people that they matter. It hurts no one. We have much bigger challenges to address as a nation and this is just a small-minded distraction from them,” Kevin Jennings said.
Critics argue that such bans are divisive and limit the expression of diverse communities. However, supporters of the bill maintain that the American flag should be the sole symbol representing all citizens at federal facilities, emphasizing unity over specific group identities.
