Newhouse Introduces Constitutional Amendment to Honor and Protect the American Flag

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) in introducing the Flag Desecration Amendment, which amends the U.S. Constitution to restore Congress' authority to prohibit the desecration of the United States flag. The reintroduction of the legislation coincides with Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.

"Today, we celebrate the flag that unites us all as Americans. This amendment recognizes our duty to treat this universally-recognized symbol of freedom with dignity and honor," said Rep. Newhouse. "These stars and stripes represent the liberty and justice that our brave military men and women have fought to secure, and we cannot take them for granted."

Click here to view the amendment text.

Background:

Until invalidated by the 1989 U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Texas v. Johnson, 48 states had laws banning flag desecration. This amendment reinstates the American people's power to protect our most important national symbol by granting Congress the authority to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag.

Members of Congress have routinely supported the passage of an amendment to allow for the ability to protect the flag. To date, a joint resolution giving Congress the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag has been passed in the House several times with bipartisan support.

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