Brown Joins Ohio Veterans on U.S.S. Cod to Push Bipartisan Bill Requiring Federal Government to Buy U.S.-Made American Flags

Senator’s Bill Would Require Federal Government to Buy Flags Made in America with American Materials; Brown, a Strong proponent of Buy American, Joining Portman in Effort to Apply Buy America Rules for Taxpayer-Funded Infrastructure Projects

CLEVELAND, OH – At the American-made U.S.S. Cod in Cleveland today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined northeast Ohio veterans as he reintroduces bipartisan legislation, the All-American Flag Act, which requires the federal government to only buy flags that are American-made.

  • The federal government is currently required to purchase flags made from only 50 percent American-made materials.
  • Brown’s legislation, cosponsored by Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, would require the government to buy flags that are produced entirely with American-made materials and are manufactured in the U.S.

“American tax dollars should go to American-made products that support American jobs, especially when the product is a symbol of our nation,” said Brown. “We need to produce the symbol of our country in a way that supports American jobs and American manufacturers.”

Brown, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, was joined by North Ridgeville veteran Jerry Rychlik, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force, to talk about the importance of American-made American flags.

“I proudly work at USS Cod (Gato Class Submarine). It was made from 100% American material and labor. American flags which fly over government institutions, military bases naval ships at sea should be made with 100% American material and labor. I support Senator Brown’s All-American Flag Act of 2018. I urge all veterans to support this bill,” said Rychlik.   

Brown’s All-American Flag Act passed the Senate in 2011 and 2014 but stalled both years in the House of Representatives. Brown continues his fight to strengthen Buy America provisions in the U.S. government.

The U.S.S. Cod is an entirely American made, U.S. Fleet submarine from World War II. Now a National Historic Landmark, the U.S.S. Cod is docked in the North Coast Harbor of Lake Erie and is maintained and operated as a memorial to the more than 3,900 submariners who lost their lives during the more than 100-year history of the United States Navy Submarine Force and serves to honor all veterans.

Brown is a strong proponent of Buy American and has introduced bipartisan legislation with Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) to apply Buy America rules to all taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects. He’s also unveiled a blueprint to invest $1 trillion in the nation’s infrastructure, which includes Buy America provisions. Earlier this year, Brown introduced his Bridge Investment Act, which would put Americans to work repairing bridges using American steel and iron.