firstamendmentcenter.org: Flag-burning in Speech

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U.S. Senate: S.J. Res. 2
Title: “A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress and the States to prohibit the act of desecration of the flag of the United States and to set criminal penalties for that act.”

Sponsor: Sen. David Vitter, R-La. Introduced Jan. 6, 2009. No cosponsors.

Latest action: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee, Jan. 6, 2009.

U.S. Senate: S.J. Res. 15
Title: “A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.”

Sponsor: Sen. David Vitter, R-La. Introduced May 6, 2009. 24 cosponsors.

Latest action: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee, May 6, 2009.

U.S House: H.J. Res. 8
Title: “Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress and the States to prohibit the act of desecration of the flag of the United States and to set criminal penalties for that act.”

Sponsor: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo. Introduced Jan. 7, 2009. Two cosponsors.

Latest action: Referred to House Judiciary Committee, Jan. 7, 2009.

U.S. House: H.J. Res. 47
Title: “Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States giving Congress power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.”

Sponsor: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo. Introduced April 30, 2009. 50 cosponsors.

Latest action: Referred to House Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, June 12, 2009.

Related

House again OKs changing Constitution to ban flag-burning
Anti-desecration amendment, critics charge, would criminalize a powerful form of political protest. 06.04.03

Senate panel OKs flag-burning amendment
Judiciary Committee approves changing U.S. Constitution, but opponents say full Senate won't pass it. 07.20.04

House again passes flag-burning amendment
Opponents say amending Constitution unnecessary, noting flag-burning incidents are few and far between. 06.22.05

Flag amendment may lack votes to pass Senate
Associated Press finds 35 senators on record as opposing constitutional amendment to let Congress outlaw flag desecration — one more than number needed to defeat it. 06.23.05

Sen. Clinton co-sponsors flag-protection measure
Bill would outlaw intimidating any person by burning U.S. flag, lighting someone else's flag, or desecrating flag on federal property. 12.06.05

Panel spotlights uncertainties over flag amendment
By Eric Nelson National Press Club discussion, featuring speakers both pro and con, wrangles over definition of 'flag,' what constitutes 'desecration.' 06.07.06

Senate committee OKs flag amendment
Measure moves toward full Senate consideration this month; foes, supporters say it could be within one vote of passing. 06.15.06

Opposition to flag-burning amendment unites Senate leaders
Republican Mitch McConnell, Democrat Dick Durbin — each their party's second-ranking senator — say protecting free speech takes precedence. 06.26.06

Patriotism, dissent and the American flag
By Melanie Bengtson In first of six lectures on First Amendment values, First Amendment Center founder analyzes history of flag, practice of burning it in protest. PODCAST VIDEO 10.13.06

Burning the Bill of Rights to save the flag
By Paul K. McMasters It's a uniquely American right to speak through our flag, and uniquely un-American to try to ban or punish symbolic political speech — as the Senate looks poised to do. 09.10.04

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Last system update: Monday, November 2, 2009 | 15:16:42

Captured 33 times between July 25, 2008 and April 24, 2010