After the Census Bureau reported that the U.S. bought $3.6 million worth of U.S. flags last year from other nations, including $3.3 million worth from China, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) wondered why the House of Representatives had not yet passed his All American Flag Act.
Contributing to the nation's troublesome trade deficit, the $3.6 million in imported U.S. flags compared unfavorably to flag exports of only $663,071, mostly to Mexico.
Also See: Fireworks, BBQ and Chinese Flags
Under current federal law, U.S. flags purchased by the federal government must be made of at least 50% American-made materials, but may be purchased from any country. Senator Brown's All American Flag Act (S. 1188) and similar bills would prohibit the federal agencies from buying U.S. flags not made entirely in the U.S. "from articles, materials, or supplies 100% of which are grown, produced, or manufactured in the United States."
"We should do all we can to support American manufacturing and job creation, especially when it comes to our most treasured of patriotic symbols -- the American flag," said Sen. Brown in a press release.
The Senate passed Sen. Brown's All American Flag Act by unanimous consent on July 27, 2011, but the bill has yet to be considered by the House.
"In a time when we face economic hardship, it is critical to invest in the manufacturing base," Brown said during the Senate debate on his bill. "There is no product that deserves a U.S.A. label more than American flags."
The U.S. trade deficit -- the difference between the value of goods and services sold by the U.S. to other countries and the value of goods and services purchased in the U.S. from other countries - hit a distressing record $48.2 billion in March 2011.
Also See: How Much of the US Debt Does China Own?
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Comments
The Federal Government also is under a lot of pressure to cut costs. Let’s face it — anything made in China, including flags, is cheaper than what we can make in America. That’s because the standard of living and wages are much, much less than they are here.
If the Senator’s bill passes, then flags will cost more. How much more will people be willing to pay for “Made in the U.S.A.” flags?
Kimberly
This isn’t about money or raising or cutting costs this about whatever amount of pride has this country has left. Yeah so I bought an American flag red white & blue all 50 stars on it and it’s made in China? Where exactly is the logic in that? Yes I would pay more for a made in u.s.a American flag rather than one that is Made in China. Any real American would agree with me.
Absolutely I would pay more and do. I would not fly a flag not made in the USA and I think most people feel the same way! I may be guilty of being cheap at times but not with our flag!
As a Air Force veteran I feel very deeply that our flag and all it’s components should be made in the USA. It’s not about price, it’s about pride…pride in our country and knowing your holding the symbol of our freedom; weather on a 4 of July parade down main street or half way around the world in a veterans barracks.
Sure, it will probably cost more to buy, but haven’t we given up our most important resource for our flag…it’s veterans both living and dead. So paying extra for our flag, in my mind isn’t and will never be an issue.
I agree with everyone here who would pay more for a flag made here in the us. Our flag is the most known in the world because of what it represents (Freedom,Courage,…) to many have lost their lives for it.
Don’t be fooled companies are just greedy and profit is what they are looking for. The Senate talks a lot about “Whats Best for America” but when it comes down to it they are no better then the greedy companies.
How much more would it really cost? Making them here would benefit all of us one way or another.
It is Anti American to fly a flag, the Great Symbol of this country, that is not Made in America. I Pruodly have a real American Flag blowing in the wind for our troops, & country. I have smaller ones that are made by disabled vets. Throw those unpatrotic dollar store flags in the trash, NOW!
Just Imagine the cost o a new american flag if Puerto Rico is finally admited as a new state the 51st. They got to change all flags aroun embassies, troops uniforms , oficial federal buildings etc…
I won’t mind paying a higher price as long as the flag is made in the USA. The flag is an important representation of a country. Our loyalty and love for our country can also be shown by patronizing our own products, most especially the USA flag.
-http://www.flags-unlimited.com/
A country’s flag is not a country’s flag if it’s made in other countries. Americans should make their own flags and buy their own flags. It is more like it.
Ed of Flags-Unlimited.com
If the “American” Flag is not “Made” in America, It isn’t an “American” Flag at all. Sure, it has the look of one, but it is, by all rights, a ‘knock-off’, and just like we have laws to prevent companies from selling ‘knock-off’ brands as the real product (Calvin Klein jeans, Fruit of the Loom under garments, etc), the same laws should be more strictly enforced when it comes to Our Flag. It isn’t ‘just a flag’. It is a symbol that pays tribute to those who have, do and will lay down their lives to allow us the freedoms so many others around the world do not know. Why shouldn’t we ‘pay more’ for our Flag? My only recommendation is that a % of these sales go to Our Troops and Vets that make our freedom possible. In a heart beat, I will pay more and do so with “Patriotic Pride”.
The law should not only require that all purchases of the American Flag made by Federal Government must be 100% made in America, there should be NO sale of the American Flag that is not 100% “Made in America’ be permitted. It should be against the Law for American Flags to be made in any other country and shipped to this country. It is Our Country; It is Our Flag and It is Our job, as Americans, to keep it American!