House passes USA-made flag bill

american flag
The American flag.
Image/Clip art

(AP) - Foreign-made American flags could soon be barred from Minnesota store shelves.

The Minnesota House has passed a made-in-the-U-S-A requirement for flags sold in the state. The bill hasn't been put to a vote yet in the state Senate.

"It's time to bring the flag home," was how one lawmaker summed up his support.

Legislative opponents, including several with military backgrounds, argued that it was wrong to close Minnesota's borders to foreign-produced flags.

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They say flagmakers in other countries might think about American ideals while churning out the Stars and Stripes.

The bill passed after several amendments were turned back on procedural motions. They included attempts to criminalize flag burning and to require all legislators who voted for the bill to buy American-made cars.

The legislation doesn't spell out a penalty for violators.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)