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Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
The One Flag for All Act would require that, at covered public buildings, only the flag of the United States may be flown, draped, or otherwise displayed. The term “covered public building” includes buildings in use by the Senate or House (or under the Architect of the Capitol), military installations, and U.S. embassies or consulates. The prohibition applies to exterior displays and to areas inside those buildings that are fully accessible to the public. The bill provides a detailed list of exceptions allowing non-U.S. or non-general-display flags in certain circumstances. Overall, the measure seeks to standardize flag display by prioritizing the U.S. flag while preserving a range of specific, narrowly tailored exceptions.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition: No flag that is not the U.S. flag may be flown, draped, or displayed on the exterior of a covered public building or in public-access interior areas.
- 2Covered public buildings: Includes buildings used by Congress or under the Architect of the Capitol, military installations, and U.S. embassies or consulates.
- 3Exceptions: A detailed list allows certain non-U.S. or non-standard flags to be displayed, including POW/MIA and hostage flags, flags of visiting foreign nations, state flags for Members’ offices, military/armed-forces-related flags, historical U.S. flags, public-safety flags, flags for national observances, religious organization flags in certain ceremonies, agency flags, tribal flags, and flags representing the local jurisdiction.
- 4Definitions tied to existing law: Uses definitions from 40 U.S.C. 3301(a) for public buildings, 18 U.S.C. 700(b) for the U.S. flag, and 10 U.S.C. 2801(c) for military installations.
- 5Purpose and scope: Aims to create a single standard for flag hierarchy at major federal public buildings, with narrowly defined carve-outs to accommodate diplomacy, history, and ceremonial needs.
Impact Areas
Primary group/area affected- Federal employees, visitors, and operations at covered public buildings (including congressional facilities, military installations, and U.S. embassies/consulates).- Members of Congress in relation to displaying state flags in their offices.Secondary group/area affected- Foreign diplomats and visiting representatives whose flags may be displayed under the listed exceptions.- Local/state jurisdictions that may have flags displayed in or around federal buildings located within their jurisdiction (where applicable under the exceptions).Additional impacts- Ceremonial and diplomatic practices: Potential changes to how flags are displayed during ceremonies, memorials, or official events.- Legal and constitutional considerations: The prohibition interacts with existing rights to display symbols on government properties; exemptions are crafted to address common ceremonial and diplomatic uses.- Compliance and enforcement: Federal agencies would need to adjust signage, display policies, and maintenance practices at covered buildings; possible costs for reconfiguration or removal of non-exempt flags.- Private vs. public buildings: The act applies only to covered public buildings, not to private properties or non-covered facilities.
Generated by gpt-5-nano on Nov 18, 2025