Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) has introduced legislation to prevent foreign flags from being displayed on U.S. Capitol grounds, responding to what he called an “offensive” display of Ukrainian flags during President Donald Trump’s recent address to Congress.
The bill, known as the “Allegiance Act,” would prohibit lawmakers from using official funds to purchase foreign flags and ban the display of any nation’s flag other than the American flag. Moreno, who legally immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia as a child, said his proposal reinforces the idea that lawmakers should focus on representing American interests.
I think it’s high time we start picking the pockets of all the members of government that got kickbacks from Ukraine, let’s roll the tape of them all waving their Ukrainian flags on the house floor. We could start there. And let’s be reminded that Thomas Massie got fined for… pic.twitter.com/2UpEpCBTGD
— schmoo (@schmooze1777) January 22, 2025
“When I came to this country, I swore allegiance to America, and America alone,” Moreno said. “Seeing members of Congress waving foreign flags in our halls is an insult to the people they are supposed to serve.”
The bill comes after Democrats prominently displayed Ukrainian flags inside the chamber during Trump’s speech. Moreno and other Republican lawmakers pushed back by handing out American flags to their colleagues, emphasizing their stance that elected officials should put the U.S. first.
Remember your representatives waving Ukrainian flags in Congress when Russia retaliates for US missile strikes that killed Russian kids on a beach in Crimea today. Joe Biden is provoking nuclear war with Russia. Are you ready to die for this demented fool? pic.twitter.com/5iLmOZZZWw
— Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) June 23, 2024
The proposal also follows a heated exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. After Zelensky lashed out at Vice President JD Vance and Trump, he was promptly removed from the meeting, and the administration delayed a minerals trade deal with Ukraine. In the days following, Zelensky expressed regret for his remarks and signaled he was ready to negotiate peace.
Moreno has been a strong advocate for Trump’s policies in the Senate, backing every one of his nominees and pushing for measures that align with the administration’s agenda.
