Press Release
Posted:
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) led a letter requesting the Department of Defense be required to only purchase American flags made in the United States. This letter was signed by 46 Members of Congress from both parties and text is included below.
The Honorable Peter J. Visclosky The Honorable Ken Calvert
Chairman Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Defense Subcommittee on Defense
Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations
H-405, The Capitol 1016 Longworth House Office Building
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Visclosky and Ranking Member Calvert,
We request that you include language in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Department of Defense Appropriations Act requiring all U.S. flags purchased by the Department of Defense to be made in America, by American workers, using American-grown and manufactured materials.
Wherever an American flag is flown, it is a symbol of the freedoms men and women throughout our history have marched, fought and died to secure. There is no greater symbol of our country, our unity, our freedom, and our liberty than our flag.
Specifically, we request the following language be included in the FY 2020 Department of Defense Appropriations Act:
“None of the funds made available in this Act may be used for the purchase or manufacture of a flag of the United States unless such flags are treated as covered items under section 2533a(b) of title 10, United States Code.”
This same language was included in the FY 2019 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Section 2533a(b) of title 10 of U.S. Code lists items that the Department of Defense must source domestically under the Berry Amendment.
We believe that it is important that every American flag the federal government buys, starting with the Defense Department, should be made in America, by American workers, and with American materials; and urge that the language above be included in the FY 2020 Department of Defense Appropriations Act.
Thank you for your consideration to this matter. We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,