Some lawmakers mount push for all American flags to be made in U.S.
COLUMBUS — As communities across Ohio this week celebrate U.S. independence by flying Old Glory, those flags are almost universally made in America. Some Ohio lawmakers want to make it a state law.
House Bill 87 would prohibit the state and local governments from purchasing an Ohio or U.S. flag that is not made in the U.S.
The bill passed the Ohio House last week 95-1 and has been sent to the state Senate for consideration. Only state Rep. Bill Dean, a Xenia Republican, voted against it.
A bill analysis provided by the General Assembly’s nonpartisan staff found that “the Flag Manufacturers Association of America reports that approximately 95% of United States flags are manufactured entirely in the United States.”
Bill sponsors want that figure to be 100%.
Rep. Nick Santucci, a Trumbull County Republican, said it’s unknown how many Ohio flags are produced domestically.
“Whether it is happening or not, the purpose is to basically put in a state law to say if you’re in a taxpayer-funded building or a governmental building and you’re flying a flag that is not made in America, that is illegal.”
Bill sponsor Rep. Steve Demetriou, a Geauga County Republican, doesn’t want countries such as China to manufacture Ohio or American flags.
“Just over the past few years we have read or watched the (Chinese Communist Party) implement extreme lockdown policies, imprison religious minorities, and silence political dissenters,” he said in sponsor testimony. “We must ensure that the symbols of our country and state are being made in our own country for these facts alone.”
HB 87 will mostly affect local governments, as the state has a contract with Ohio Penal Industries to produce U.S. and Ohio flags for state buildings. Ohio Penal Industries provides workforce training to around 1,200 incarcerated adults in the state.
The General Assembly is on an extended break and isn’t expected to return until after the November election. If the bill doesn’t pass both chambers before the end of the year, it would have to be reintroduced in lawmakers’ next two-year session, which begins in January.
“My hope is that when they do return that will be on one of the bills on the floor for the Senate,” Santucci said.