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Womack Introduces Constitutional Amendment to Protect U.S. Flag from Desecration

Representative Steve Womack (AR-3) – along with Representatives Kevin Cramer (ND-AL), Jeff Fortenberry (NE-1), Phil Roe (TN-1), Bill Johnson (OH-6), and Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) – yesterday introduced H. J. Res. 9, a joint resolution which restores Congress’s constitutional authority to ban the desecration of the United States flag.  

Until invalidated by the 1989 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Texas v. Johnson, 48 states had laws banning flag desecration.  H. J. Res. 9 reinstates Congress’s authority to protect our flag by giving states the ability to take a stand on this important issue, which states have overwhelmingly supported throughout our nation’s history.

Upon introduction, Congressman Womack released the below statement:

“Throughout our nation’s history, Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice for the values espoused in our flag, and as a veteran, I believe it is disgraceful to allow it to be desecrated.  Our flag is not only one of the greatest symbols of our nation, it’s one of the most prominent symbols of freedom and democracy in the world.  We should be allowed to protect it.” 

Members of Congress have bipartisanly supported the passage of this amendment since the 1989 Supreme Court decision.  To date, a joint resolution giving Congress power to prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag has been passed by the House six times, most recently in 2005.  Passage in the Senate has fallen just short of the 67 votes required for passage in the Senate three times, most recently in 2006.

The final text of the joint resolution can be found here.

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