Representative Diana Harshbarger Introduces Bill to Bar Federal Buildings, U.S. Embassies from Flying Flags Other Than the American Flag

Tennessee U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) introduced a bill on Thursday that would bar all U.S. outposts from flying flags other than the American flag

Harshbarger’s One Flag for All Act would prohibit the display of any flags other than the U.S. flag in public buildings, military installations, and U.S. embassies or consulates, with exceptions.

The flags exempt from Harshbarger’s bill include:

  • The National League of Families POW/MIA flag;
  • Flags representing the nation of a visiting diplomat;
  • The state flag of a Member of Congress, outside or within the Member’s office;
  • Flags representing a unit or branch of the Armed Forces, on military installations;
  • Any flag representing an Indian tribe;
  • A Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag;
  • Any flag of historical significance to the United States, including the Betsy Ross flag, the Gadsden flag, and the Bennington flag;
  • A flag representing public safety;
  • A flag commemorating a specific national observance, including the 9/11 memorial flag and the remembrance Day flag;
  • Any flag representing the state, territory, county, city, or local jurisdiction where the public building is located;
  • In the case of a religious liturgy or ceremony at a military installation or facility, any flag that represents a religious organization or church that is covered by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code; and
  • In the case of a Federal agency, a flag representing such agency.

Harshbarger’s bill comes weeks after the U.S. Department of State under President Donald Trump issued similar guidance authorizing only the U.S. flag “to be flown or displayed at U.S. facilities, both domestic and abroad, and featured in U.S. government content.”

The State Department’s new guidance is a complete reversal of policy practiced under the previous administration as U.S. Embassies displayed activist flags including the Pride flag during Pride Month in 2021 and the Black Lives Matter flag in 2022 during Black History Month.

“Old Glory is the most recognized symbol of strength, freedom, and prosperity in the entire world. American soldiers did not raise our flag at Iwo Jima for it to be disgraced decades later by radical ideologies,” Harshbarger said in a statement.

“Our flag represents every single American, and should never be disgraced on federal public properties by not being the primary flag flown. This legislation accomplishes just that,” Harshbarger added.

A companion bill for the One Flag for All Act is being led in the U.S. Senate by Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS).

– – –

Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.