In a move to support American jobs and manufacturers, Congress has passed a proposal that mandates the federal government to exclusively procure American flags that have been fully manufactured within the United States. Presently, the U.S. imports millions of American flags from overseas, predominantly from China, prompting lawmakers to advocate for flags that truly originate in the country they represent.

Led by Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, supporters of the proposal believe that this change goes beyond symbolism and is vital in upholding American values and preserving the nation's most recognizable banner. Senator Collins emphasized the significance of the American flag as a symbol of national identity, resolve, and values. Consequently, she stated that the federal government should utilize flags that are entirely manufactured in the United States to honor its weighty significance.

Advocates of the proposal expressed confidence on Monday that the measure will soon be signed into law, with it having been forwarded to President Joe Biden on Thursday. Currently, federal regulations stipulate that flags purchased by the government must contain at least 50% U.S.-made materials. The newly proposed rule change, known as the "All American Flag Act," requires government-purchased flags to be produced entirely with American-made materials and manufactured within the U.S.

Import data from 2015 illustrates that the total value of U.S. flag imports soared above $4 million, with the majority originating from China. Proponents of the rule change emphasized that in 2017 alone, the U.S. imported approximately 10 million American flags, with an overwhelming 99.5% originating from China. It is important to note that these figures encompass all American flags imported into the country, and not solely those procured by the federal government.

Senators Collins and Brown have been fervently working towards the domestic production of American flags for several years. Previous attempts to alter regulations in order to enforce the usage of domestically-produced flags saw success in the U.S. Senate, but failed to progress when they reached the House of Representatives.

With the passing of this proposal, Congress aims to bolster American manufacturing and employment by ensuring that the iconic stars and stripes are proudly Made in the USA.