Bill Would Revoke Funding to Schools That Ban Flag

More than 50 Republicans have introduced a bill to the House of Representatives that would stop giving federal funds to schools and universities that ban the American flag, after a Massachusetts college removed theirs from campus in protest of Donald Trump winning the election.

“I am proud to introduce legislation that will protect the American flag from censorship across the country,” Republican Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio said in a statement to the Washington Examiner, of the bill that he and 52 other House Republicans put forth on December 2. “The American flag is a symbol of freedom throughout the world and should be respected as such.”

The bill, known as the Protect the Flag Act, would revoke funds given to a higher education institution “that, pursuant to an official policy of the institution to prohibit the display of the flag of the United States by the institution, removes, censors, takes down, prohibits, or otherwise halts display of a flag of the United States,” the measure states. Once the school has an American flag flying high, they would again be eligible to receive funding.

But would President-elect Trump sign the bill into law, should it land on his desk in the Oval Office? He has not specifically commented on the House measure, but he has said that he is in favor of punishing flag burners.

“Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag — if they do, there must be consequences — perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!” Trump tweeted on November 29.

A petition to stop funding flag-banning schools gained widespread attention after Hampshire College lowered their flag in response to Trump’s surprise electoral sweep on November 8. Protesters burned it the following day, and as a statement against Trump, the school did not raise up another until December 2.

“Recent action by Hampshire College to remove the American flag from its campus was a blatant act of censorship,” said Turner. “Furthermore, Hampshire College’s decision disrespected our servicemembers, veterans, and the liberties our flag embodies. We must work to ensure that such acts of censorship are not supported by the government in the future.”

Sources: Washington Examiner, Donald J. Trump/Twitter / Photo Credit: CheekyChicks/Pixabay