Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) is leading an effort to prohibit the display of foreign flags in Congress, introducing a bill that would ensure only the American flag is flown on Capitol grounds. His legislation comes after Ukrainian flags were waved by Democratic lawmakers during President Donald Trump’s recent congressional address.
The bill, titled the “Allegiance Act,” would make it illegal for taxpayer funds to be used for purchasing or displaying foreign flags within the Capitol. Moreno, who immigrated to the US as a child, emphasized that lawmakers should be standing for the American people, not foreign governments.
I think it’s high time we start picking the pockets of all the members of government that got kickbacks from Ukraine, let’s roll the tape of them all waving their Ukrainian flags on the house floor. We could start there. And let’s be reminded that Thomas Massie got fined for… pic.twitter.com/2UpEpCBTGD
— schmoo (@schmooze1777) January 22, 2025
“I became a citizen of this country because I believe in its values, its history, and its flag,” Moreno said. “It is unacceptable for elected officials to bring foreign symbols into the halls of Congress.”
The controversy surrounding foreign flags in Congress coincides with heightened tensions between the Trump administration and Ukraine. During a high-profile meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was removed from the White House after a heated exchange with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The fallout led to a freeze on US military assistance to Ukraine and the postponement of a minerals trade deal between the two countries.
Remember your representatives waving Ukrainian flags in Congress when Russia retaliates for US missile strikes that killed Russian kids on a beach in Crimea today. Joe Biden is provoking nuclear war with Russia. Are you ready to die for this demented fool? pic.twitter.com/5iLmOZZZWw
— Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) June 23, 2024
Ahead of Trump’s speech, Moreno and other Republican senators distributed American flags to reinforce the message that the Capitol belongs to the American people. The move was a direct response to the Ukrainian flags that had been put on display by Democrats.
As a key Trump ally in the Senate, Moreno has been a vocal advocate for policies that prioritize the needs of American citizens over foreign nations. His bill is expected to gain support from lawmakers who oppose continued US involvement in overseas conflicts.
