Bill would force government to only buy American-made flags

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WBOY) – A team of U.S. senators, which includes West Virginia’s Joe Manchin, have launched a invoice that would call for the federal federal government to only obtain American flags that are generated totally on American soil.

In accordance to a launch from Manchin, as of now, the federal government can buy flags that comprise only 50 % American-built elements. The All-American Flag Act would avoid the federal government from acquiring and utilizing any flag that was not developed totally with American-created supplies and manufactured absolutely in the United States. 

Info from the U.S. Division of Commerce and the U.S. Census stated that in 2015, the U.S. imported $4.4 million well worth of American flags, with $4 million of those imported from China. In 2017, the U.S. imported 10 million American flags all but 50,000 of those arrived from China, Senator Manchin’s place of work pointed out.

“Every working day, pupils, Veterans, troopers, scouts and Us residents pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of The us. We salute it we fight for it we honor it and celebrate it,” Senator Manchin said. “I am very pleased to co-sponsor the bipartisan All-American Flag Act to call for the federal governing administration to purchase flags made totally on American soil with American products, which will generate excellent-paying out employment and spur financial growth across the place. I persuade my colleagues on both of those sides of the aisle to assist this significant legislation and I seem ahead to acquiring it throughout the finish line and signed into law.”

The complete listing of sponsors for the bill is as follows: Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.).

“American flags ought to be built in The us, period,” Brown said. “Today, 50 percent of the components that our gals and gentlemen in uniform fight beneath can be created in China. We have to adjust that. We shouldn’t use taxpayer dollars to purchase American flags made overseas when American providers — and companies appropriate here in Ohio — proudly develop the American flag. My bipartisan All-American Flag Act would ensure that the federal government purchases flags that are fully manufactured and produced in The usa, by American staff.”

“The American flag serves as a image of our identification, take care of, and values as one folks. To honor its significance, the federal government should really only use flags fully produced in the United States,” Senator Collins reported. “This bipartisan legislation will assure that the image of our nation is preserved even though supporting American work opportunities and producers.”

“I am proud to be a part of my colleagues in primary the All-American Flag Act to ensure that American flags, purchased with American taxpayer dollars, flying over the home of America’s governing administration are American manufactured,” added Scott. “There is absolutely no explanation why taxpayer bucks should really go to international governments to invest in American flags. This legislation is a no-brainer. When I was governor of Florida we signed this commonsense laws into legislation, and I am proud to continue on this exertion in the Senate. I encourage my colleagues to assistance its passage.” 

Bipartisan companion legislation was introduced in the Home by Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Sick.).