Democrats killed a Republican bill that bans flying flags other than the American flag on government buildings.
It comes after conservatives slammed President Joe Biden for the display of the Progress Pride Flag at the White House.
Ban of Non-American Flags on Government Buildings
According to Fox News Online, Senate Democrats successfully thwarted a Republican-backed bill to ban the flying of non-American flags on government buildings.
The Republican-sponsored legislation, tabled under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), sought to limit the display of foreign flags on federal properties, post offices, courthouses, and other government-used structures.
Sen. Roger Marshall, Republican, proposed the ban as an amendment to the NDAA. The conservative legislator cited concern about preserving American heritage and upholding national pride. Marshall argued on the Senate floor that "it would be right and proper that... on the grounds owned by we the people, that only one flag... the one flag that represents this idea of America, should be unfurled."
Despite that, the Republican measure still carries some exemptions. The ban excludes a few flags, such as the POW/MIA flag, other US state flags, and foreign diplomat flags, to name a few.
However, the bill faced strong opposition from Democrats, who vehemently argued against it.
Leading the charge against the GOP's proposal, Senate Democrats passionately voiced their concerns on the Senate floor, championing inclusivity, tolerance, and the rich tapestry of America's multicultural fabric.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Democrat, says on the Senate floor, "[Let us] be clear that that is about not being able to fly the Pride flag. Wisconsin's first woman Senator stresses that "LGBTQ+ Americans are our neighbors, our loved ones, our constituents, and our colleagues."
On top of that, she pointed out that LGBTQ+ people "serve in our armed forces and federal government, making sacrifices every day for their country."
The Republican proposal won a 50-49 majority. However, the amendment required at least 60 votes to pass the Senate leadership. With that in mind, the proposed legislation did not make it. Meanwhile, a single Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin, united with Republicans to support the measure.
White House and Pride Flag
It is worth noting that United States President Joe Biden's Pride celebration displayed the Progress Pride flag between two US flags at the White House last month.
According to Reuters, the hanging of the Pride flag drew flak online. Some argued that Biden violated the US Code on the flag. Subsection 7e states that the American flag "should be at the center and at the highest point of the group."
A National Flag Foundation board member Peter Keim says the Flag Code does not address the display of flags at the White House portico. However, he notes that the display of the Progress Pride Flag still violated the Flag Code in "spirit" since it was more prominent than the two US flags.
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