U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Steve Womack (R-AR) and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) on June 14 proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would give Congress the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag.
“Recognized from near and afar, our flag is the embodiment of freedom and liberty. With hands over our hearts, we salute our enduring banner and the promise it upholds. It has guided troops into battle, steadfastly flown during our brightest and darkest moments, and is placed over the caskets of our heroes who have given all,” Rep. Womack said. “It means too much to not have the ability to protect it.”
Rep. Womack on Tuesday sponsored the Flag Desecration Amendment, House Joint Resolution 51, with five original Republican cosponsors, including Rep. Newhouse.
“This amendment recognizes our duty to treat this universally recognized symbol of freedom with dignity and honor,” said Rep. Newhouse. “These stars and stripes represent the liberty and justice that our brave military men and women have fought to secure, and we cannot take them for granted.”
Members of Congress have routinely supported the passage of an amendment to allow for the ability to protect the flag, according to Rep. Newhouse’s office, and to date, a joint resolution giving Congress the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag has been passed in the U.S. House of Representatives several times with bipartisan support. This joint resolution has been introduced in each session of Congress during 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019, according to the congressional record.
Sen. Daines on June 14 sponsored the companion Senate Joint Resolution 20 with five original GOP cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).