Bipartisan bill would require federal flags to be fully American-made

The phrase “Made in the U.S.A” would take on greater importance under a new bill in the Senate, which would require federally-purchased flags to be 100 percent produced and manufactured in the United States.

All-American Flag Act is the brainchild of U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Manchin (D-WV). It’s a response to the fact that the federal government can currently purchase flags containing at least 50 percent American-made materials – and as symbols go, they want to make it an authentic one.

“The American flag is our nation’s most visible symbol and there is no question the United States government should buy flags that are made here at home,” Peters said. “This bipartisan bill will ensure we appropriately honor this emblem that represents America’s spirit around the world, and will support businesses and workers in Michigan and across the nation who manufacture our flag.”

A symbol of the nation’s founding history and values, a symbol of identity, resolve and values – these were among the descriptors used by the senators promoting the bill. Yet all also drummed up the economic factor, pointing to the bill’s capabilities to support American jobs and manufacturing.

“American flags should be made in America, period,” Brown said. “Today, half of the materials that our women and men in uniform fight under can be made in China. We have to change that. We shouldn’t use taxpayer dollars to purchase American flags made overseas when American companies – and companies right here in Ohio – proudly produce the American flag. My bipartisan All-American Flag Act would ensure that the government buys flags that are entirely produced and manufactured in America, by American workers.”

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that U.S. imports of American flags amounted to $4.4 million in 2015, with more than $4 million-worth from China. As of 2017, imports rose to 10 million American flags, with all but 50,000 shipped from China.