Republican introduces bill to ban waving foreign flags on House floor

A House Republican on Friday introduced legislation that would ban waving foreign flags on the floor of the lower chamber after Democrats unfurled Ukrainian flags to celebrate passing the $95 billion foreign aid package last week. 

Rep. Kat Cammack’s bill would prohibit lawmakers from bringing and displaying the flag of a foreign country on the House floor, but would still let members wear flags from other nations on their lapels — a common practice among members who support Ukraine. 

“On the floor of the House, there should be only one flag on display: ours,” said Ms. Cammack, Florida Republican. 

Ms. Cammack’s legislation is a response to Democrats who brought hundreds of Ukrainian flags to the House floor and waved them to celebrate the passage of President Biden’s foreign aid package, which includes $61 billion for the country. 

Many conservatives were upset with the April 20 vote, which had more Democrats in favor. The celebratory display prompted an outcry from the already irritated GOP.  

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Florida Republican, snagged the mic from the speaker’s lectern and shouted for Democrats to “put those damn flags down,” while Rep. Lauren Boebert, Colorado Republican, berated her colleagues from across the aisle.  

It also prompted Rep. Thomas Massie, Kentucky Republican, to post a video of the scene on X where he blamed House Speaker Mike Johnson for the rippling sea of blue and yellow. Mr. Massie is part of a small rebellion, led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia Republican, trying to oust Mr. Johnson. 

“This is the U.S. House of Representatives under the direction of Speaker Mike Johnson,” Mr. Massie said. “Democrats are celebrating his total capitulation with no victory for securing our border.”

Mr. Massie and other conservatives were frustrated that Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican, didn’t tie Ukraine aid to border security provisions. The Kentuckian later posted that the House sergeant-at-arms threatened to fine him $500 unless he took the video down. 

Despite the tension caused by the threat to oust him, Mr. Johnson said Mr. Massie wouldn’t be fined. 

“Upon viewing Rep. Massie’s tweet, our team reached out to the sergeant-at-arms,” Mr. Johnson said. “I do not agree with this assessment, and there will be no fine imposed on Rep. Massie.”