Staff Reports
A Republican in the House has presented a new rule that would stop representatives from waving flags of other countries on the House floor. The bill by Rep. Kat Cammack would prohibit lawmakers from displaying foreign flags in the House, but they would still be able to wear flags from other countries on their clothing. Cammack, who represents Florida, said, “On the floor of the House, there should be only one flag on display: ours.”
This bill is a response to Democrats who brought many Ukrainian flags to the House floor and waved them to celebrate President Biden’s foreign aid package, which includes $61 billion for Ukraine. The celebratory display upset many conservatives, especially with the vote having more Democrats in favor. During the celebration, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, grabbed the microphone and shouted at the Democrats to put the flags down. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican from Colorado, also criticized her colleagues from across the aisle.
Republican Rep. Kat Cammack introduces bill to ban waving foreign flags on House floor https://t.co/2oWu89qwef pic.twitter.com/XZrXo0o4Y0
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) April 29, 2024
Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, posted a video of the event where he blamed House Speaker Mike Johnson for allowing the display of Ukrainian flags. Massie and other conservatives were frustrated that Johnson did not tie Ukraine aid to border security provisions. He even mentioned that the House sergeant-at-arms threatened to fine him $500 unless he deleted the video. Despite this tension and the threat to oust him, Johnson confirmed that Massie would not be fined, stating that he did not agree with the assessment and there would be no fine imposed on Rep. Massie.
The tension surrounding the display of Ukrainian flags and the debate over foreign aid to Ukraine highlights the ongoing divide and disagreements in the House of Representatives.
