Prohibiting Members of the House of Representatives from bringing or displaying a flag of a foreign nation on the floor of the House, and for other purposes.
H. Res. 49 is a House resolution that would change the House’s internal rules by prohibiting Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners from bringing or displaying any flag of a foreign nation on the floor during a session. The prohibition applies regardless of flag size, with two specific exceptions: (1) a foreign flag worn as a lapel pin by a member remains allowed, and (2) a depiction of a foreign flag used as part of an exhibit during a speech or debate under the House Rules. Enforcement would be handled by the Sergeant-at-Arms. The measure has been referred to the Committee on Rules and, as a resolution, would alter internal House floor conduct rather than create a federal statute. In short, if adopted, the House would adopt a rule restricting on-floor display of foreign flags (outside the lapel pin and exhibit-depiction exceptions), reinforcing decorum on the floor and giving the Sergeant-at-Arms authority to enforce the rule.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition: During a session of the House, no member, delegate, or resident commissioner may bring or display a flag of a foreign nation on the House floor, regardless of flag size.
- 2Exceptions:
- 3- A foreign flag worn as a lapel pin by a member is allowed.
- 4- A depiction of a foreign flag used as part of an exhibit during a speech or debate (under House Rules) is allowed.
- 5Enforcement: The Sergeant-at-Arms would be responsible for enforcing the prohibition.
- 6Process: The measure was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Rules; it would become an internal House rule if adopted.
- 7Scope and nature: This is a House resolution (internal rule change), not a federal statute or a law that applies outside the House.