House Bans Display of Foreign Flags on Floor: Exceptions for Lapel Pins and Speech Exhibits

The House just passed a new rule: no foreign flags can be displayed on the House floor during sessions. This means representatives can't bring in or show off flags from other countries while they're conducting official business. The Sergeant-at-Arms is in charge of making sure everyone follows this rule.

No-Go for Big Flags

The main point of this bill, SEC. 1., is to keep the focus on American interests during legislative sessions. While representatives can still wear a foreign flag as a lapel pin, those big, wave-around flags are a no-go. The idea is to maintain a sense of decorum and national unity when the House is in session.

Speech Exhibits Still Allowed

But there's a catch. If a representative is giving a speech or participating in a debate, they can use a foreign flag as part of an exhibit. This allows for educational or illustrative displays, say, if a member is discussing international relations or a specific treaty. It will be interesting to see how 'exhibit' is defined and if that leads to any disagreements.

Enforcement and Potential Issues

The Sergeant-at-Arms has the job of enforcing this rule. This could get tricky – deciding what counts as a display versus an exhibit, for example. There's also the risk of selective enforcement, which could lead to accusations of bias. But, for now, the rule is clear: keep foreign flags off the floor unless they're on your lapel or part of a speech-related exhibit.