In a push to maintain decorum and national integrity within the halls of Congress, Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) has proposed legislation prohibiting the display of foreign flags on the floor of the House of Representatives. This announcement comes after a contentious scene on Saturday where multiple Democratic lawmakers waved Ukrainian flags following the passage of a new $61 billion aid package to Ukraine.
The bill seeks to reinforce the exclusivity of the American flag in the legislative chamber, a symbol of unity and sovereignty for the nation. “If there is one room in our country that should only have the American flag present, it is this room,” Cammack stated in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
In another post, she wrote: “Watching American representatives pass out & wave Ukrainian flags in the United States House of Representatives chamber infuriated me. As we speak, my team is drafting legislation prohibiting the display of foreign nations’ flags on the House floor.”
"If there is one room in our country that should have only the American flag present, it is this room," said Rep. Kat Cammack on Saturday. https://t.co/04s1kDTMbN
— Rep. Cammack Press Office (@RepKatCammack) April 22, 2024
Several House Republicans have expressed their support of Cammack’s bill, saying their constituents have had enough of prioritizing foreign interests over American sovereignty and actual border security measures.
Even though he was instrumental in moving the aid bill forward while ignoring the border, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said, “We should only wave one flag on the House floor. And I think we know which flag that is.”
The display of Ukrainian flags came at a time when the House passed several major bills, including further aid to Israel and Taiwan and a bill potentially banning the Chinese social media platform TikTok.
Critics of the Ukrainian aid, like Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Eric Burlison (R-MO) have shown their outrage over the display. Luna rose on Saturday to demand that her colleagues “put those damn flags away.”
BREAKING: House Democrats finally found a nation’s flag they believe is worth waiving. https://t.co/W7IzMwwk9z
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) April 20, 2024
“BREAKING: House Democrats finally found a nation’s flag they believe is worth waiving. You can see the disgust on my face!” wrote Gaetz on X.
Democrats waiving Ukrainian flags on the House floor tells you everything you need to know about their priorities. Ukraine first, America last. pic.twitter.com/RNrurspjLL
— Rep. Eric Burlison (@RepEricBurlison) April 20, 2024
Burlison wrote on Saturday afternoon: “Democrats waiving Ukrainian flags on the House floor tells you everything you need to know about their priorities. Ukraine first, America last.”
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) told reporters, “Shouldn’t have any other flag but the American flag on the House floor. That’s ridiculous. It’s inappropriate. It’s just lack of order.”
