Sen. Marshall speaks on the One Flag For All Act Amendment
In September of 2020 a viral video from NowThis News showed a confrontation of Carrie Evans, a lesbian councilwoman, by the people of Minot, North Dakota after the LGBTQ+ Pride flag was raised at City Hall on September 2 of that year.
Not every claim that the citizens made was accurate, but this story did bring to light the question of what flags governments should be allowed to raise. However, despite the controversy, not much has been said about what flags government entities can and cannot raise. At least, not until earlier this year when the Biden Administration breached the U.S. Flag Code after the Pride flag was centered between two American flags at the White House for a Pride Month celebration held on June 10.
June 10, 2023.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 11, 2023
The largest Pride Month celebration ever held at the White House. pic.twitter.com/UPs0PBBSZR
In response to this, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) introduced the ‘One Flag for All Act,’ on Flag Day, stating:
“It’s a sad state of affairs when the White House prioritizes their radical social agenda over patriotism. The American flag stands for liberty and justice for ALL and should never be undermined by anyone, especially the President of the United States. Old Glory must reign supreme as a symbol of our nation’s freedom that thousands of our servicemembers, and veterans have fought and died to protect. The One Flag For All Act ensures that the American Flag never gets sidelined for culture wars and political points and remains the sole symbol of our nation’s freedom and sacrifices.”
On Thursday, July 27, Sen. Marshall released a video of him speaking on the One Flag For All Act Amendment to his YouTube channel.
In the video, Sen. Marshall starts off by stating how people either honor or protest the American flag such as is their right. He goes on to speak about those who served under the flag, mentioning how his own family has had someone serving from each generation since the Civil War under the American flag.
“I hope you agree with me as patriots that it would be right and proper that buildings and grounds owned by We the People that only one flag, with reasonable exceptions, that this one flag, this flag that so many Americans fought and died for, the one flag that represents this idea of America, should be unfurled. And this is exactly what our amendment does,” Sen. Marshall said.
According to a press release from June 14, “ Under Senator Marshall’s legislation, any flag other than the American flag is prohibited from being flown, draped or displayed on federal buildings. Exemptions are made for: Prisoner of War (POW) flags; Country flags for visiting diplomats; State flags for members of Congress displaying the flag at their official office; Tribal flags; military flags at military bases and installations; and any flag that represents the State, territory, county, city, or local jurisdiction in which the public building is located.”
Text of the full bill can be read here.
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Ian Brannan
Ian Brannan is an independent journalist who founded The Kansas Constitutional in April 2022. His work focuses on issues including abortion, Convention of States, drug policy, education, government, LGBT issues, media, and more. He is also the co-host of the Rainbow Rabble-Rousers podcast.