Congress has passed a proposal that would require the federal government to purchase only American flags that have been completely manufactured in the U.S., rather than imported from countries like China. Led by Senators Susan Collins and Sherrod Brown, supporters of the proposal believe that this change will not only support American jobs and manufacturers but also preserve the significance of the nation’s most recognized symbol.
The “All American Flag Act” will ensure that government-purchased flags are made entirely with American materials and manufactured within the U.S. Currently, federal rules only require flags to contain half U.S.-made materials, leading to the majority of American flags being imported from China.
In 2017, the U.S. imported around 10 million American flags, with 99.5 percent of them coming from China. Collins and Brown have been advocating for American flags to be produced domestically for years, with previous efforts finding success in the Senate but stalling in the House of Representatives.
The proposal is now awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature and is expected to be signed into law soon. Supporters believe that this change is more than just symbolic, as it represents a commitment to American values and identity. The move also highlights the importance of manufacturing American flags in the country they represent, rather than outsourcing production overseas.
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