Outlaw the burning of the American flag (Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick)

On Monday, folks across America gathered together to celebrate our national flag. For 233 years now, the Stars and Stripes has been a unique symbol of freedom and democracy across the globe – the representation of all we are and all that we stand for.

Millions of young men and women fought and died for their country under that flag. Every day, our service members risk their lives in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world to protect the ideals it embodies.

To burn or desecrate it is an insult to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and to those who helped build our great Nation.

It should be illegal – and this Congress should make it illegal by finally passing a constitutional amendment to ban burning of the U.S. flag.

Every day, this House begins its work by pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. We need to live up to that pledge.