Steve Daines Proposes Amendment to Ban Flag Burning

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced a constitutional amendment Friday to prohibit the burning of the American flag, commemorating Flag Day.

Daines introduced his constitutional amendment to prohibit burning of the American flag as America celebrates Flag Day.

“Our United States flag is a timeless symbol of liberty that tells the story of America, the story of our enduring pursuit of freedom,” Daines said in a press release Friday. “Remembering the sacrifices of all who carried its colors into battle, our nation should always render the flag the honor and dignity it is due.”

The Montana Republican has led the way for the movement to prohibit flag burning via a constitutional amendment. Last year on Flag Day, Daines highlighted his constitutional amendment on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Various Montana veterans organizations support Daines’ amendment, including the American Legion of Montana, as well as the Department of Montana Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The American Legion of Montana said in 2017, “It is long past time that the flag of the United States be protected from desecration, The American Legion of Montana applauds Senator Daines’ effort to protect the flag.”

The Department of Montana Veterans of Foreign Wars also said in 2017, “The U.S. flag should be protected by the U.S. Constitution in the name of all veterans that gave their lives to protect it.”

On June 14, 2018, Daines commemorated national Flag Day by highlighting the Constitutional Amendment to prohibit the burning of the American flag on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

Sen. Daines said during his speech last year, “Our flag should be protected in honor of the countless American service members who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend it.”

“Our veterans are the best example of why America is the greatest country on earth and why our freedoms and liberties are worth defending,” the Montana conservative continued.

In 2017, Sen. Daines first introduced a constitutional amendment to give Congress the authority to prohibit the burning of the American flag.