WASHINGTON — Should U.S. flags that fly from federal buildings be made entirely in the U.S.A.?
So ask sponsors of the “All-American Flag Act,” introduced in response to the $3.6 million in imports of U.S. flags, mostly from China.
The bill’s sponsors used the day before Independence Day to call on the House to pass a Senate-approved bill that would require the federal government to purchase only flags made entirely from domestic content.
“We should do all we can to support American manufacturing and job creation, especially when it comes to our most treasured of patriotic symbols — the American flag,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat whose state of Ohio is home to U.S. flag makers.
It was not immediately clear why the bill has yet to come up for a vote in the House, which approved the measure in 2010. That bill never came before the Senate before the session ended.
Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, the House’s bill’s chief sponsor, said in a statement, “It’s time for the House to act.”
U.S. flag imports were valued at $3.6 million last year, with $3.3 million coming from China, according to the Census Bureau.
Currently, federal law requires that U.S. flags purchased by the federal government contain a minimum of 50 percent American-made materials. The legislation would require federal agencies to purchase only flags made entirely in the U.S. “from articles, materials, or supplies 100 percent of which are grown, produced or manufactured in the United States.”
“In a time when we face economic hardship, it is critical to invest in the manufacturing base,” Brown said during Senate consideration of his bill last year. “There is no product that deserves a U.S.A. label more than American flags.”
A separate bill, the Genuine American Flag Act, which would prohibit imports for sale of foreign-made U.S. flags, also has been introduced.
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©2012 Los Angeles Times
I don’t think anyone in the US could produce the amount required. Go ahead and try to make it a law but I doubt it will happen.
Even my NRA hat was made in China which I find amusing.
Why don’t you think anyone in the U S could produce that many flags? We certainly have the knowhow and the manpower. With all the chest thumpers in the House proclaiming how much more “Patriotic “they are compared to everyone else ,this should pass with no problem.
There are ballcap manufacturers in the USA. My guess is the NRA thinks its adherents are too illiterate to be able to read the labels.
The NRA gets its hats from china because they cost less, period. We certainly have the ability to produce hats and flags right here but like everything else, it all comes down $$$.
If the market exists, someone will fill it.
Don’t know how to break this to you, but a couple of weeks ago I was in WalMart and saw the flag display. Out of curiosity I checked to see where they were made. I was pleasantly suprised to see made in the USA on the exact size flag I needed. I bought one. I was planning on buying one on line because I thought that would be the only place I could find US made flags.
Of course you can still find a flag that was made in the United States but that doesn’t mean every single component of that flag came from US materials. There is a good chance that the thread that makes up the flag wasn’t produced in the US.
It is kind of like New Balance shoes in Maine. They can say some of their shoes are made in the USA but not all of the components of the shoe are.
Of course they should be USA made. There is a company in ID that makes them, and they are durable.
Bangor Home Show has a vendor from Saratoga, NY that carries them, along with USA made flag poles from the same state. So, give the business to this company.
Who cares where they’re made. The fact is that manufacturing jobs have left this country because America’s are more interested in spending $4.99 for a flag made in China then $24.99 for the same flag made in NY or ID or NJ. Why should the government be any different?
And make the flag of the Great State of Maine here.
Why bother!
Just Fly the Chinesse Flag!
The whole &*%$ Country has been sold out!
“Some” lawmakers want to pass a law requiring American flags to be made in America? Some? Speaking of flags. “Some” of those same lawmakers should be wearing Chinese flags on their lapels. The greatest nation on earth is now being guided by sell outs.
My Dad thinks they should all have to wear jumpsuits like the NASCAR drivers wear that show all their “sponsors”!
LOL!!! I love it! You Dad hit it out of the park with that one! But, then again, that would be too close to the truth for any politician to deal with! lol.
LOL, That’s the best idea ever. Can you imagine Governor LePage after enacting one of his vetos going into a speal like Jeff Gordon? “I want to thank the crew from MHPC, they are the best. ALEC helped me witht the reasoning behind the removal of that mural. The Tea Party wrote my speeches for me.”
Humor aside your father has a great point. Too bad that we the people can’t force this on our politicians. Also force them to buy their uniforms, sponsor patches, etc. mad in the USA.
While we’re at it. Make them offer us the same health insurance policy they get.
Wait, where does Sweden even come into this?
Another critical issue in Congress…Thank goodness nothing is more important than where flags are made!
Wan them made in the U.S.? Just convince the employees of flag makers to work for $2 an hour and no benefits….and voila…flags will once again be produced with pride (and poverty) right here in the good ol’ U.S.of A.
The republicans won’t like this idea one bit. It would be anti-American to force a company to manufacture their product here in the USA.
Republicans? Really? Do you really think all those decisions were based on something so simple? You’ve bought into the Demo’s palaver hook, line and sinker and now are spitting it back. Sorry to say, republicans have lost manufacturing jobs, too.
Oh please.
Grow up!!!!!!!
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Demanding that flags be made in a certain country is IMHO un-American..
Surprise, surprise. The party that screeching about the President not wearing a flag pin is also the party with politicians who refuse to pass this law. Grand Old Hypocrisy Party.
I think flags made in America would be better made and more durable. Same with shoes. Does anyone like the crap that China calls shoes that sell in the USA?
As a Vietnam Vet, I would rather not have a Chi-Com flag on my casket please. I saw enough stuff made in China during my tour. I find it laughable that something like this would require legislative action, but applaud the intent.Make all the jokes you care to about our flag and feel good about it in the safety of your home, I saw many youg boys die in places we couldn’t even pronounce the name of for that flag. Enjoy your hot dog on us today, we gladly served, and many would again today. We may not have agreed with our government, but loved/love our country.Republicans, Democrats, Conscious Objectors in non weapon carrying roles Black, White, Asian, Indian, gay, straight, we did our job for America.
Wow…..I guess I’m naive…I always thought USA flags WERE made in USA. Seems redundant if they’re not!