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HR 2778 101th Congress House Government Operations and Politics Crime and Law Enforcement Emblems Flags Freedom of speech

Amending section 700 of title 18, United States Code, to set criminal penalties for desecrating the flag of the United States.

Introduced: June 28, 1989 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 8 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 12, 1989
See H.R.2978.
Jul 20, 1989
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jul 19, 1989
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jul 18, 1989
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jul 13, 1989
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jul 11, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.
Jun 28, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Jun 28, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Federal criminal code to eliminate knowingly casting contempt upon the U.S. flag as an element of flag desecration.

What's happening now October 12, 1989

See H.R.2978.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 2978 Procedurally related Flag Protection Act of 1989
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Neal, Richard E.
Massachusetts · Jul 11, 1989
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2778: Amending section 700 of title 18, United States Code, to set criminal penalties for desecrating the flag of the United States.. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2778/
MLA
"H.R. 2778: Amending section 700 of title 18, United States Code, to set criminal penalties for desecrating the flag of the United States.." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2778/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2778, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2778/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2778: Amending section 700 of title 18, United States Code, to set criminal penalties for desecrating the flag of the United States.](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2778/)
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