WC Wisconsin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) has joined Congresswoman Kat Cammack's (R-FL) resolution aimed at preventing Members of the House of Representatives from displaying flags of foreign nations on the House floor.

The resolution, introduced by Congresswoman Cammack, sets out to enforce a prohibition on the display of any foreign nation's flag on the House floor, with exceptions for specific circumstances such as wearing a foreign flag as a lapel pin or using it as part of an exhibit during a speech or debate under House rules. The Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives is tasked with enforcing this restriction.

The initiative follows a recent incident where lawmakers waved the flag of Ukraine on the House floor after the passage of H.R. 8035 on April 20, 2024. In response to this, Congressman Van Orden emphasized his stance, stating, "I am a member of the United States House of Representatives, not the parliament of another nation." He added, "There are many ways to show respect to our allies, but displaying their flags on the House Floor is not one of them."

Echoing similar sentiments, Congresswoman Cammack stressed the importance of unity under the American flag within the House of Representatives. She asserted, "On the floor of the United States House of Representatives, there should only be one flag on display: ours." Cammack highlighted the gravity of the decisions made on the House floor, emphasizing the need for a singular national symbol during such deliberations. She stated, "We make serious decisions on behalf of the American people and their taxpayer dollars on the House floor. This business should be carried out beneath no other banner than our stars and stripes to remind us of who we represent and why this nation is the greatest in the history of the world."

The resolution seeks to uphold the principle of representing the American people first and foremost in the legislative proceedings of the House of Representatives.