Almanac of Policy Issues - 0 views
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C Chadwick on 17 May 11Many Members of Congress see continued tension between "free speech" decisions of the Supreme Court, which protect flag desecration as expressive conduct under the First Amendment, and the symbolic importance of the United States flag. Consequently, every Congress that has convened since those decisions were issued has considered proposals that would permit punishment of those who engage in flag desecration. The 106th Congress narrowly failed to send a constitutional amendment to allow punishment of flag desecration to the States. In the 107th Congress, one such proposal was passed by the House. In the 108th Congress, the House Judiciary Committee has favorably reported a proposed constitutional amendment to allow punishment of flag desecration on a vote of 18-13.