Bill Summary
The All-American Flag Act is a federal law that requires all government agencies to purchase flags made in the United States. This includes flags that are 100% manufactured in the US using materials and supplies that are also grown or produced in the US. There are exceptions, such as when the head of an agency determines that domestically made flags are not available or for certain types of procurement. The President is also able to waive this requirement if necessary to comply with trade agreements. The Act also includes definitions of terms such as "agency" and "simplified acquisition threshold." This law went into effect in 2019 and applies to all contracts entered into 180 days after its enactment.
Possible Impacts
1. Increased cost for federal agencies: The All-American Flag Act requires federal agencies to purchase domestically made flags, which may be more expensive than flags from other countries. This could potentially limit the budget of these agencies and affect the services they are able to provide.
2. Impact on American flag manufacturers: This legislation could potentially benefit American flag manufacturers by creating a mandatory market for their products. It could also lead to increased competition in the industry, potentially affecting the profits and livelihoods of these manufacturers.
3. Reduced availability of American flags: If federal agencies are required to purchase domestically made flags, this could potentially lead to a decrease in the availability of American flags for consumers. This could impact individuals who wish to purchase American flags for personal use or for events such as Independence Day celebrations.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 113 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 113
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 16, 2019
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To require the purchase of domestically made flags of the United States
of America for use by the Federal Government.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``All-American Flag Act''.
SEC. 2. REQUIREMENT FOR AGENCIES TO BUY DOMESTICALLY MADE UNITED STATES
FLAGS.
(a) Requirement for Agencies To Buy Domestically Made United States
Flags.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 63 of title 41, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``Sec. 6310. Requirement for agencies to buy domestically made United
States flags
``(a) Requirement.--Except as provided in subsections (b) through
(d), funds appropriated or otherwise available to an agency may not be
used for the procurement of any flag of the United States, unless such
flag has been 100 percent manufactured in the United States from
articles, materials, or supplies that have been grown or 100 percent
produced or manufactured in the United States.
``(b) Availability Exception.--Subsection (a) does not apply to the
extent that the head of the agency concerned determines that
satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity of a flag described in
such subsection cannot be procured as and when needed at United States
market prices.
``(c) Exception for Certain Procurements.--Subsection (a) does not
apply to the following:
``(1) Procurements by vessels in foreign waters.
``(2) Procurements for resale purposes in any military
commissary, military exchange, or nonappropriated fund
instrumentality operated by an agency.
``(3) Procurements for amounts less than the simplified
acquisition threshold.
``(d) Presidential Waiver.--
``(1) In general.--The President may waive the requirement
in subsection (a) if the President determines a waiver is
necessary to comply with any trade agreement to which the
United States is a party.
``(2) Notice of waiver.--Not later than 30 days after
granting a waiver under paragraph (1), the President shall
publish a notice of the waiver in the Federal Register.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Agency.--The term `agency' has the meaning given the
term `executive agency' in section 102 of title 40.
``(2) Simplified acquisition threshold.--The term
`simplified acquisition threshold' has the meaning given that
term in section 134.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:
``6310. Requirement for agencies to buy domestically made United States
flags.''.
(b) Applicability.--Section 6310 of title 41, United States Code,
as added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply with respect to any contract
entered into on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
Passed the House of Representatives January 15, 2019.
Attest:
KAREN L. HAAS,
Clerk.