Republican lawmakers on Friday proposed a bill that would ban the display of Black Lives Matter, gay pride, and other political flags or banners from at United States embassies.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) reportedly introduced The Stars and Stripes Act of 2021 Friday in reaction to the State Department decision to fly BLM flags at their embassies around the world to mark the one year anniversary of the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police.
U.S. Embassies in Spain, Cambodia, Greece, Britain and Sarajevo all hoisted BLM Banners on May 25. According to the New York Post, the BLM flag flown at the Athens embassy was so large, it covered the United States seal.
“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,” Malliotakis, who also reps part of southern Brooklyn, said in a statement.
The freshman rep, who has taken issue with BLM’s push to defund police departments, said flying the organization’s symbol is an “insult to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our flag and our nation.”
The bill was co-signed by reps Elise Sefanik (R-N/Y.), the new House GOP Conference Chair; Pete Sessions (R-Texas); Ken Buck (R-Colo.); Michael Guest (R-Miss.); Darrell Issa (R-Calif.); and Brian Mast (R-Fla.).
“Our beautiful American flag should fly over our U.S. embassies around the world – not the flag of a political organization founded by Marxists,” Stefanik tweeted.
I’m proud to be an original co-sponsor for this important bill. 🇺🇸
Our beautiful American flag should fly over our U.S. embassies around the world – not the flag of a political organization founded by Marxists.https://t.co/4GG9CgIrzF
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) May 30, 2021
The Republican effort comes as U.S. embassies around the world—including, outrageously, the U.S. embassy to the Holy See—fly LGBQ flags to “celebrate Pride Month.”
The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See celebrates #PrideMonth with the Pride flag on display during the month of June. The United States respects the dignity and equality of LGBTQI+ people. LGBTQI+ rights are human rights. pic.twitter.com/Xentlnr16E
— U.S. in Holy See (@USinHolySee) June 1, 2021
Unfortunately, the bill has little chance of getting passed in the Democrat-controlled House.