Press Releases

Washington, DC— June 14, 2023… As our country celebrates Flag Day, Congressman Steve Womack (R-AR) reintroduced a constitutional amendment to restore the authority of Congress to protect our national emblem of freedom by prohibiting the desecration of the American flag. There is a companion joint resolution in the Senate, which is being led by Senator Steve Daines (R-MT).

Congressman Womack said, “The stars and stripes embody the freedom that’s foundational to our great nation. We salute the American flag to signify our loyalty to the U.S. and show our deep gratitude for those who’ve sacrificed to preserve our liberties. Generations of Americans have fought under this symbol of freedom, and it’s our duty in Congress to protect it.”

Senator Daines said, “When we woke up today, we woke up in the greatest country on earth. The American flag represents a beacon of hope and freedom. This freedom was built on the sacrifices of the brave men and women who carried its colors into battle to defend the United States of America. We must always protect the sanctity of the American flag.”

Commander of American Legion Department of Arkansas William “Doc” Sheets said, “The American flag symbolizes hope and freedom to people throughout the world. The American Legion of Arkansas believes it is deserving of respect. The flag has covered the caskets of veterans in communities throughout the country.  Desecrating this cherished symbol is not free speech but hateful conduct. The American Legion Department of Arkansas stands with Rep. Womack as he works for a constitutional amendment to protect our great flag from desecration.” 

American Legion National Commander Vincent “Jim” Troiola said, “One hundred years ago, The American Legion led 68 other patriotic organizations in a gathering known as the Flag Conference of 1923. The purpose of the conference was to develop a code so the American flag could be displayed in a manner depicting unified respect and pride. The conference was successful and Americans around the country have followed the guidelines stipulated in the Flag Code. The overwhelming majority of Americans do not want to see their flag disrespected and certainly not desecrated.  The Flag Code, however, does not protect the U.S. Flag from desecration, a disputed ‘right’ created by the Supreme Court in 1989. The only way to remedy the Supreme Court’s ruling is through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The American Legion thanks Rep. Womack for his staunch support of the American flag and his work in championing a Flag Protection Amendment to the Constitution. We have seen an unprecedented rise in desecrations over recent years and The American Legion believes the time is now to pass this amendment.”

Until invalidated by the 1989 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Texas v. Johnson, 48 states had laws banning flag desecration. This proposal reinstates the American people’s power to protect our most important national symbol by granting Congress the authority to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag.

Members of Congress have routinely supported the passage of an amendment to allow for the ability to protect the flag. To date, a joint resolution giving Congress the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag has been passed in the House several times with bipartisan support.

The reintroduction coincides with Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.

Text of the bill here.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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