Washington, DC —
Senator John Thune today voted in favor of a Constitutional Amendment that would allow Congress to prohibit the desecration of the American Flag.
"Many of our veterans have stood in harm's way around the world to protect everything that the American Flag represents. The American Flag has been a part of some of the most memorable scenes from our nation's history. It was raised at Mt. Suribachi during the battle for Iwo Jima, and draped over the side of a stricken Pentagon following the attacks of September 11th," said Thune. "I have heard from many of our veterans on this issue and I stand with them in this fight to protect the American Flag from desecration."
The amendment simply reads: the Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. It does not amend the First Amendment. It simply authorizes Congress to pass a law to protect the flag from desecration.
"For too long, some judges have taken important social and cultural issues out of the hands of the people and placed them in the hands of the courts. However, the Constitution does not belong to the courts, it belongs to the people. When the courts get it wrong, it is appropriate and constitutional that the people have the opportunity to correct the courts. The American flag is a unifying symbol that deserves to be protected from desecration and activist judges," said Thune.
The Amendment failed by one vote.
"Many of our veterans have stood in harm's way around the world to protect everything that the American Flag represents. The American Flag has been a part of some of the most memorable scenes from our nation's history. It was raised at Mt. Suribachi during the battle for Iwo Jima, and draped over the side of a stricken Pentagon following the attacks of September 11th," said Thune. "I have heard from many of our veterans on this issue and I stand with them in this fight to protect the American Flag from desecration."
The amendment simply reads: the Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. It does not amend the First Amendment. It simply authorizes Congress to pass a law to protect the flag from desecration.
"For too long, some judges have taken important social and cultural issues out of the hands of the people and placed them in the hands of the courts. However, the Constitution does not belong to the courts, it belongs to the people. When the courts get it wrong, it is appropriate and constitutional that the people have the opportunity to correct the courts. The American flag is a unifying symbol that deserves to be protected from desecration and activist judges," said Thune.
The Amendment failed by one vote.