President Joe Biden signed a funding bill on Saturday that bans the display of the Pride flag at U.S. embassies around the world.
Joe Biden signed $1.2 trillion in government funding invoice On Saturday, a provision was included restricting the display of LGBTQ pride flags on U.S. embassies. The ban is part of a number of additional issues included in the bill passed to fund the government through September.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, known for his conservative Christian beliefs, reportedly used the Pride flag ban to gain support for the bill from his party. according to To Bloomberg. Although the 1,012-page $1.2 trillion bill does not specifically mention banning Pride flags at U.S. embassies, it indirectly builds on Republican plans to block the display of LGBTQ Pride flags in U.S. government buildings. I support it.
A new government spending bill would ban U.S. embassies from flying LGBTQ pride flags. https://t.co/z2EJ×RkWeu
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 23, 2024
“No funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act shall be obligated or expended to fly or display any flag on any facility of the United States Department of State other than the flag of the United States.2 Foreign Service Flag under FAM, POW/MIA Flag, Hostage and Unlawful Detainer Flag under Section 904 of Title 36, United States Code, Flag of a State, Insular Territory, or District of Columbia, United States Flag Indian an officially branded flag of a tribal government, U.S. government agency, or the sovereign flag of another nation,” the bill reads.
The White House has announced its opposition to the ban. Immediately after signing the bill, the Biden administration immediately pledged efforts to overturn this specific provision.
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 10: US President Joe Biden speaks during the Pride Month celebration on the South Lawn of the White House on June 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. Thousands of people gathered at the White House to celebrate Pride Month with a performance by singer Betty Who. (Photo by: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
“The administration opposes the inclusion of this policy, and we will continue to work with members of Congress to find opportunities to repeal the policy. “We successfully defeated more than 50 other policy riders attacking the US,” a White House spokesperson said. Said NBC News. (Related article: ‘You are already a representative’: Communities banned from flying pride flags on public poles)
Democrats strongly opposed this provision. Democratic Texas Rep. Greg Casar expressed his disapproval in a meeting with reporters Thursday, according to NBC News. According to a report by NBC News, Cazale “shows just how low-level Republicans are by threatening to shut down government services while trying to figure out which flags can be flown in front of which buildings.” said. He said, “I think it’s not only ridiculous for Democratic voters, but also for Republican voters.”
Republican Florida Rep. Cory Mills expressed disappointment that the policy needed to be included. according to To the Washington Examiner. Mills believes the flag policy is part of a larger issue with diversity, which Democrats value, the paper said. “I don’t think we should fly a flag that sows division in the hopes that it will create some kind of inclusivity,” Mills told the Washington Examiner. “I think it’s the opposite. But personally, I think it’s sad that I have to say something like this.”
