Make American Flags in America Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1421
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-18: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-19T08:07:06Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Make American Flags in America Act of 2025" aims to ensure that U.S. flags displayed on federal property or procured with federal funds are fully manufactured in the United States, promoting domestic production of this national symbol. It also directs a study on labeling and enforcement of country-of-origin rules for such flags.
Key Provisions
- Mandate for U.S.-Made Flags (Section 2): Adds a new Section 11 to Chapter 1 of Title 4, United States Code, requiring:
- Federal agencies to only display U.S. flags on federal property if they are "made in the United States," defined as 100% manufactured from materials entirely produced or manufactured in the U.S. (including states, District of Columbia, tribal lands, and territories).
- Federal funds cannot be used to buy U.S. flags unless they meet this U.S.-made standard.
- The rule must align with U.S. international trade agreements.
- It does not apply to private individuals or entities.
- Definitions:
- Federal agency: Broadly includes executive branch agencies, military departments, legislative and judicial branch offices, District of Columbia government, and government-controlled corporations.
- Federal property: Real estate owned, leased, or occupied by federal agencies or wholly U.S.-owned entities.
- Implementation Timeline:
- Procurement restrictions apply 90 days after enactment.
- Display restrictions apply 2 years after enactment, allowing time for transition.
- Study on Labeling Enforcement (Section 3): The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair must conduct a study assessing:
- Current enforcement of country-of-origin labeling rules for U.S. flags (e.g., labels indicating where the flag was made).
- Number of fines or penalties issued for violations.
- Percentage of repeat violations by previously penalized entities.
- Within 1 year of enactment, submit a report to House and Senate committees with study results and recommendations to strengthen enforcement and deterrence.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new federal requirement in Title 4, United States Code (which governs the U.S. flag and other national symbols), mandating 100% domestic manufacturing for federally used flags—previously, no such strict "made in the U.S." rule existed for flags, allowing imports.
- Adds a clerical update to the table of contents for the code.
- Expands oversight by tasking the FTC with a specific study on flag labeling, which could lead to future regulatory tweaks not previously required.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal entities (e.g., military bases, courthouses, national parks) must switch to U.S.-made flags, potentially increasing costs due to higher domestic production prices but reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. This could streamline procurement processes over time.
- On Citizens: Minimal direct effect, but ensures U.S. flags seen on public federal lands symbolize domestic craftsmanship, possibly fostering national pride. Private citizens and businesses remain unaffected in their flag purchases or displays.
- On International Relations: The law explicitly respects U.S. trade obligations (e.g., under agreements like the USMCA or WTO), avoiding broad trade barriers, but may slightly reduce demand for imported flags from countries like China, potentially straining minor trade ties without major diplomatic fallout.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies and Entities: Primary enforcers, including executive departments (e.g., Defense, Interior), military, Congress, courts, and D.C. government—must comply with sourcing and display rules.
- U.S. Flag Manufacturers: Benefit from increased demand for domestically produced flags, supporting jobs in textile and manufacturing sectors.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Responsible for the labeling study and potential future enforcement improvements.
- Congressional Committees: House Energy and Commerce, and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation—receive the FTC report and may act on recommendations.
- Importers and Foreign Producers: Indirectly impacted by reduced federal market access for non-U.S. flags.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens domestic content rules under federal procurement laws (e.g., aligning with Buy American Act principles) but limits scope to flags only, avoiding broader trade law conflicts. The FTC study could prompt administrative actions to clarify "country-of-origin" labeling, a consumer protection tool enforced via civil penalties.
- Constitutional: Likely upheld under Congress's authority to regulate federal property and spending (via the Property Clause and Appropriations Clause); no apparent free speech issues since it targets government actions, not private expression of the flag.
- Political: Reflects a "Buy American" priority, emphasizing patriotism and economic nationalism without partisan overtones in the bill text; bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) suggests broad appeal, though implementation costs could spark budget debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
Cosponsors (53)
Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7], Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8] and 3 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-18: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 2025-02-18: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 2025-02-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Make American Flags in America Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-18 — PDF (5 pages)