Malliotakis Introduces Bill Prohibiting Political Flags Like BLM from Flying Over U.S. Embassies

Press Release

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), today with House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Congressmen Ken Buck (CO-04), Michael Guest (MS-03), Darrell Issa (CA-50), Brian Mast (FL-18), and Pete Sessions (TX-17), introduced the Stars and Stripes Act of 2021, legislation that directs the Secretary of State to restrict the display of certain flags or banners at diplomatic and consular posts around the world. Malliotakis' bill is in response to Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent directive authorizing and encouraging all U.S. embassies overseas to display 'Black Lives Matter' flags and banners.

"It is inappropriate for President Biden and Secretary Blinken to authorize and encourage the display of inherently political flags that are in no way affiliated with the U.S. Government over American embassies overseas," said Congresswoman Malliotakis. "The American flag is a beacon of freedom and hope for oppressed peoples around the world; it should be the primary flag flown above our embassies and that is what my legislation seeks to accomplish. The Administration's directive is an insult to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our flag and our nation - especially as we head into Memorial Day weekend - and it is absolutely ridiculous that legislation is needed to correct this issue."

The Black Lives Matter organization website promotes a number of partisan political demands and initiatives, including:

Convicting and banning former President Trump from holding future political office
Expelling Republican members of Congress who voted against the certification of electors for Arizona and Pennsylvania
Launching a full investigation into the ties between white supremacy, law enforcement, and the U.S. military
Permanently banning former President Trump from all digital media platforms
Defunding the police
Speaking out against laws cracking down on domestic terrorism
Passing radical criminal justice reform legislation

"Our beautiful American flag should fly over our U.S. embassies around the world - not the flag of a political organization founded by Marxists," said House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik. "I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation introduced by my colleague and friend Congresswoman Malliotakis."

"The death of George Floyd opened important discussions surrounding police reform in the United States. However, using United States resources to display a non-government organization flag over United States embassies is not permissible," said Congressman Guest."I encourage every American to exercise their First Amendment right to free speech and to continue civil dialogue around this matter. However, these discussions should not be aired out on an international stage. Our country's resources should be used to highlight our unity, not our political divisions."

"The White House may think the American flag is just another banner to be displayed or replaced in foreign capitals when the mood strikes," said Congressman Issa. "But this is more than untrue. It's an emphatic misunderstanding of what this nation represents in every corner of the globe. And it fails to appreciate how our country's symbols have sustained the hopes of the world in the darkest of hours. This legislation may be necessary, but even more important is for the Biden Administration to take stock of America's exceptionalism."

"The American flag is a physical representation of our nation's history and intrinsic principles," said Congressman Sessions. "It is a symbol of hope and opportunity. The only flag that should characterize the United States of America at our embassies overseas is Old Glory. Political flags have no place in exemplifying our nation abroad."