Bi-partisan bill introduced requiring government to buy only American-made flags
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Rick Scott (R-FL) launched the All-American Flag Act, which would involve the federal government to only get flags wholly created and created in the United States.
“American flags must be produced in The us, period,” Senator Brown claimed. “Today, 50 percent of the components that our women of all ages and adult men in uniform combat under can be built in China. We have to alter that. We shouldn’t use taxpayer pounds to buy American flags created overseas when American firms – and organizations right in this article in Ohio – proudly create the American flag. My bipartisan All-American Flag Act would guarantee that the govt buys flags that are fully developed and produced in America, by American employees.”
Presently, the federal govt must get flags that incorporate only 50 p.c American-manufactured supplies. The Senators’ legislation would demand the government to buy flags that are created completely with American-manufactured materials and created wholly in the United States. According to the U.S. Division of Commerce and U.S. Census Knowledge, in 2015 the greenback value of U.S. imports of American flags was $4.4 million. Of that volume, $4 million of imported flags came from China. In 2017, the U.S. imported 10 million American flags. Of those, all but 50,000 came from China.
“The American flag serves as a symbol of our identification, solve, and values as 1 people today. To honor its importance, the federal govt need to only use flags fully made in the United States,” reported Senator Collins. “This bipartisan laws will guarantee that the symbol of our country is preserved though supporting American employment and manufacturers.”
Brown and Collins have formerly launched this laws. This 12 months Manchin and Scott are becoming a member of as primary cosponsors.
“Every day, pupils, Veterans, troopers, scouts and People pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of The usa. We salute it we battle for it we honor it and celebrate it,” reported Senator Manchin. “I am happy to cosponsor the bipartisan All-American Flag Act to involve the federal federal government to obtain flags produced solely on American soil with American components, which will build great-spending jobs and spur economic expansion throughout the country. I really encourage my colleagues on each sides of the aisle to support this crucial legislation and I seem forward to receiving it throughout the finish line and signed into legislation.”
“I am proud to sign up for my colleagues in top the All-American Flag Act to make sure that American flags, bought with American taxpayer bucks, flying around the home of America’s authorities are American made,” explained Senator Scott. “There is unquestionably no reason why taxpayer pounds ought to go to international governments to acquire American flags. This laws is a no-brainer. When I was governor of Florida we signed this commonsense legislation into regulation, and I am proud to carry on this work in the Senate. I inspire my colleagues to assist its passage.”
Companion legislation was released in the Home of Representatives by Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) and has been cosponsored by Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16).
“When a veteran expressed his worry to me about American flags manufactured overseas, I labored throughout the aisle to need the Defense Department to acquire American-made flags,” Congresswoman Bustos explained. “I hear time and yet again that our veterans are unhappy that tax bucks are getting American flags manufactured in nations like China. That’s why this week, as we observe Flag Working day, I’m happy to introduce this bipartisan bill to make certain all American flags that are with federal tax bucks are made here in The us.”
“The American flag is both a symbol of our nation and its fundamental promises of freedom, justice and equality for all our folks,” claimed Congresswoman Brown. “It only makes sense that American flags bought with taxpayer pounds ought to be manufactured right below in The usa. I am very pleased to introduce this invoice with Congresswoman Bustos to honor the quintessential American image and assistance American companies and employees.”
“There is no reason the American flag must be produced any place other than in the United States of The united states,” claimed Congressman Ryan. “In a opposition of a life time with China, this laws presents us an prospect to not only reshore positions and carry our offer chain again dwelling, but make certain this fantastic American symbol is manufactured in The usa, by American personnel.”
“As we rejoice Flag Day this 7 days, it is fitting that we re-introduce this laws that guarantees American flags procured by the federal government are the two created and made by American staff right here in the United States. This may seem like popular sense, but so many of our American flag products and solutions sold below in the U.S. are built in China and in other places. This has to end,” mentioned Congressman Kinzinger. “Today, I’m proud to co-direct the All-American Flag Act and search ahead to our ongoing operate to bolster our supply chains and provide manufacturing home to America.”
