New Law Would Require American Flags Sold In NY Be Made In U.S.

An alarming number of American flags, around 10 million annually, are made by other countries and sold in America.

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-District 11) introduced a bill into the New York State Assembly calling for all flags in the United States and New York be made in America.

“Our flag has covered the coffins of presidents, it has traveled to the moon, and for those who make the ultimate in sacrifice for our great nation, their remains are covered with the flag for which they fought for when they are given their final honors, and that flag should be made in the United States,” Santabarbara said.

The New York State All-American Flag Act would require all flags sold in New York State be made in America, with 100 percent of its materials coming from the United States and made using only U.S. based labor, CBS 6 reports.

U.S. law currently requires flags purchased by the federal government be made of at least 50 percent American materials, according to Santabarbara.

Around $3.6 million worth American flags are imported each year, with most coming from China, NY State of Politics reports.

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In 2017, the U.S. imported 10 million American flags, with almost all coming from China, according to The Conversation. 11.6 million American flags were imported in 2016.