One Flag for All Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1313
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-15T08:07:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "One Flag for All Act" (H.R. 1313) aims to limit flag displays in federal public buildings to prioritize the U.S. flag, promoting national unity by restricting other flags while allowing specific exceptions for historically, diplomatically, or operationally significant symbols.
Key Provisions
- Prohibitions: No flag other than the U.S. flag may be flown, draped, or displayed on the exterior of covered public buildings or in publicly accessible interior areas (e.g., entryways or hallways).
- Exceptions: The ban does not apply to:
- National League of Families POW/MIA flag (honoring prisoners of war and missing in action).
- Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag.
- Flags of visiting diplomats' nations.
- State flags in the offices of Members of Congress.
- Flags representing U.S. Armed Forces units, branches, or support for the military.
- Historical U.S. flags, such as the Betsy Ross flag (early American design), Gadsden flag ("Don't Tread on Me" symbol), and Bennington flag (Revolutionary War era).
- Public safety flags (e.g., for police or firefighters).
- Flags for national observances, like the 9/11 Memorial flag or Remembrance Day flag.
- Religious organization flags during liturgies or ceremonies at military sites (limited to tax-exempt nonprofits under IRS Section 501(c)(3)).
- Flags representing federal agencies.
- Flags of federally recognized Indian Tribes (as defined in federal law for self-determination).
- Flags of the state, territory, county, city, or local area where the building is located.
- Definitions:
- "Flag of the United States" refers to the official national flag as defined in federal criminal law (18 U.S.C. § 700(b)).
- "Covered public building" includes federal buildings under 40 U.S.C. § 3301(a), plus congressional facilities (under the Architect of the Capitol), military installations (as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 2801(c)), and U.S. embassies or consulates.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new federal restrictions on flag displays in public buildings, which previously allowed broader discretion for agencies or officials to fly various flags (e.g., state, organizational, or commemorative ones) without uniform prohibition. It codifies exceptions to balance the ban, creating a standardized national policy where none existed before.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Federal entities managing public buildings (e.g., General Services Administration, Department of Defense) must review and adjust flag protocols, potentially increasing administrative costs for compliance and enforcement. Military installations and embassies gain clarity on allowable displays.
- Citizens: Visitors, employees, and the public in federal spaces may see fewer diverse flags, emphasizing U.S. symbolism, but exceptions preserve displays for veterans, safety personnel, and local pride. Members of Congress and tribal representatives retain flexibility in their spaces.
- International Relations: Minimal disruption due to the diplomat exception, which supports protocol for foreign visitors; however, it could signal a stronger U.S.-centric identity in diplomatic settings like embassies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal government agencies and building managers (e.g., responsible for compliance).
- U.S. Congress and the Architect of the Capitol (impacted in legislative buildings).
- Military personnel and installations (exceptions for service-related flags).
- Visiting diplomats and foreign governments (protected displays).
- Federally recognized Indian Tribes and local governments (allowed jurisdictional flags).
- Veterans' groups, public safety organizations, and religious nonprofits (via specific exceptions).
- General public using or viewing federal buildings.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes enforceable rules under federal property management laws, with potential for civil enforcement but no specified penalties; relies on existing statutes for definitions to ensure clarity.
- Constitutional: May intersect with First Amendment free speech rights, as flag displays can be symbolic expression; however, on government property, courts often uphold such rules as "government speech" (e.g., prioritizing official symbols), reducing challenges. Exceptions mitigate claims of viewpoint discrimination.
- Political: Promotes a unified national identity but could spark debate over restricting cultural or ideological symbols (e.g., state or tribal flags), potentially viewed as limiting diversity in public spaces while honoring military and historical themes. Sponsored by multiple House Republicans, it reflects partisan priorities on patriotism.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]
Cosponsors (25)
Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham [R-AZ-8], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- One Flag for All Act — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (4 pages)