Lvin Magazine 

The recent passage of a proposal by Congress mandates the federal government to procure American flags that are wholly manufactured within the United States. This initiative aims to address the substantial import of American flags, predominantly from China, and emphasizes the importance of domestically sourced flags to reflect the values they symbolize.

Advocates of this proposal, led by Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, stress that the change not only holds symbolic significance but also bolsters American jobs and industries while upholding the integrity of the nation’s most iconic emblem.

Senator Collins remarked, “The American flag serves as a symbol of our identity, resolve, and values as one people. To honor its significance, the federal government should only use flags entirely manufactured in the United States.”

The proponents anticipate that the measure will soon be enacted into law, having been transmitted to President Joe Biden for approval. The current federal regulations necessitate that procured flags contain at least 50% U.S.-made materials. The proposed “All American Flag Act” seeks to mandate that government-purchased flags must be both entirely produced with American-made materials and manufactured within the U.S.

According to federal data, the import value of U.S. flags exceeded $4 million in 2015, with the majority originating from China. Supporters of the rule change revealed that in 2017, the U.S. imported approximately 10 million American flags, of which 99.5% were sourced from China. These figures encompass all American flags imported into the country, not solely those obtained by the federal government.

Senators Collins and Brown have persistently advocated for American flags to be domestically manufactured, with prior endeavors in the U.S. Senate yielding success but facing impediments upon reaching the House of Representatives.