Chronology: January 6, 2009

Senator David Vitter [R-LA] introduces Senate Joint Resolution 2, “proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress and the States to prohibit the act of desecration of the flag of the United States and to set criminal penalties for that act.” The following day Rep. Jo Ann Emerson [R-MO], introduces House Joint Resolution 8, a companion measure. The language of these resolutions is problematic, since they give power to the Congress “and the States” to prohibit flag desecration and place “criminal penalties” on the act. Both issues concern the CFA. Both have been considered, studied, debated, reconsidered, and long since dropped from proposed amendments supported by the Citizens Flag Alliance.