Biden Signs Bill Banning LGBTQ Pride Flags at Embassies Worldwide
Clear Facts
- President Joe Biden signed a $1.2 trillion government funding bill on Saturday that includes a provision prohibiting the display of LGBTQ pride flags at U.S. embassies worldwide.
- Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly used this ban to garner support for the bill from his party, indirectly backing a Republican plan to stop the display of Pride flags at U.S. government buildings.
- The White House has announced its intention to fight the ban, with the Biden administration pledging efforts to overturn this specific clause.
In a move that has sparked controversy, President Joe Biden signed a $1.2 trillion government funding bill on Saturday. This bill, crucial for the functioning of the government until September, includes a provision that has raised eyebrows: a ban on the display of LGBTQ pride flags at U.S. embassies across the globe.
This ban is one of many additional issues incorporated into the 1,012-page bill. It indirectly supports a Republican plan to halt the display of LGBTQ Pride flags at U.S. government buildings, even though it doesn’t explicitly mention a ban on Pride flags at U.S. embassies.
The bill states, “None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be obligated or expended to fly or display a flag over a facility of the United States Department of State other than the — United States flag; Foreign Service flag pursuant to 2 FAM, POW/MIA flag, Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag, pursuant to section 904 of title 36, United States Code, flag of a State, insular area, or the District of Columbia at domestic locations, flag of an Indian Tribal government, official branded flag of a United States agency or sovereign flag of other countries.”
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, known for his conservative Christian beliefs, reportedly leveraged this ban to gain support for the bill from his party.
The White House, however, has announced its intention to fight the ban. Immediately after the bill was signed, the Biden administration pledged efforts to overturn this specific clause.
A White House spokesperson stated, “The Administration fought against the inclusion of this policy and we will continue to work with members of Congress to find an opportunity to repeal it. We were successful in defeating 50+ other policy riders attacking the LGBTQI+ community that Congressional Republicans attempted to insert into the legislation.”
Democratic Texas Rep. Greg Casar expressed his disapproval of the provision, stating, “It shows just how low the Republican Party has gotten that they’ve threatened to shut down government services over trying to figure out which flags can be flown in front of which buildings. I think it’s laughable, not just to Democratic voters but to Republican voters.”
On the other hand, Republican Florida Rep. Cory Mills expressed disappointment that this policy had to be included. He believes that this policy about flags is part of a larger issue with the Democrats’ focus on diversity. “I don’t think that we should be flying flags that sow division by thinking that it somehow creates some kind of inclusion,” Mills stated. “I think it does the opposite. I just personally think that it’s sad that we have to state these things.”
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Linda Brabble
March 26, 2024 at 6:49 pm
I applaud the Republicans for standing up for this. No flag should be flown over any of our government buildings other than government related flags.
Dick
March 26, 2024 at 7:13 pm
I agree with with Linda, fly the stars and stops an no other!
Daniel Beck
March 26, 2024 at 8:26 pm
I’m not gay and have no care to be inclusive. I don’t like the rainbow flag being flown at government buildings or schools as it doesn’t represent me or anyone I associate myself with. It also sends a horrible message to the world that we are United behind a homosexual life style. I’m glad the Republicans won that issue, but what was the real cost of “passing” this bill for this win. Democrats always get their way and like Joe said, they will find a way to get the clause removed. So what did the Republicans “give them” to further their cause for this flag deal? I’m sure it’s some more horribleness as that’s all democrats do it horrible things for America.
Bruce William Walters
March 26, 2024 at 8:36 pm
About time, this horseshit needs to stop.
Patricia A Anderson
March 26, 2024 at 9:06 pm
They should not be flown on the White House either.
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March 27, 2024 at 12:16 am
embassies represent countries
since when do we have LBGTQ country and where is it located
just get rid of this stupidity
Robert Spowart
March 27, 2024 at 11:40 am
Good. About bloody time.
EMMA
March 27, 2024 at 2:14 pm
OBAMA IS THE SICK TRAITOR WHO STARTED THIS FLAG ON OUR WHITE HOUSE, SHAME ON HIM AND BIDEN, IT IS HIGH TIME TO STOP THIS ABOMINATION FROM EVER HAPPENING AGAIN. THANK GOD FOR SMALL BLESSINGS. ABOUT TIME TO STOP ALL WOKENESS, ALL GENDER IDEOLOGY, TWO GENDERS ONLY. BRING BACK SANITY IN THE SCHOOLS AND OUR NATION…………..
Gary Lee
May 12, 2024 at 5:37 pm
What did anyone expect? Everyone knows Obama likes to go “down-low”. as for Michelle, well, a exam by a trio of doctors would reveal the truth.
Skeptical
May 11, 2024 at 6:42 pm
Joe is crossing his handlers agenda?
Boy, is that incumbant desperate or what?