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S 982 105th Congress Senate

Flag Protection and Free Speech Act of 1997

Official title: A bill to provide for the protection of the flag of the United States and free speech, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 27, 1997 Introduced by: McConnell, Mitch Republican · Kentucky See on congress.gov
Commemorations Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCrime and Law EnforcementDestruction of propertyFines (Penalties)
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
FlagsFreedom of speechGovernment propertyLarcenyPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesSentences (Criminal procedure)Violence
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 13, 1998
Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution, Federalism, Property.
Jun 27, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Jun 27, 1997
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action October 13, 1998

Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution, Federalism, Property.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Flag Protection and Free Speech Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to revise provisions prohibiting desecration of the U.S. flag. Subjects any person who destroys or damages a U.S. flag with the primary purpose and intent to incite or produce imminent violence or a breach of the peace, in circumstances where the person knows it is reasonably likely to do so, to a $100,000 fine or one year's imprisonment or both. Subjects to a $250,000 fine or two years' imprisonment or both any person who steals or knowingly converts to his or her use, or the use of another, and intentionally destroys or damages a U.S. flag: (1) that belongs to the United States; or (2) within any lands reserved for the use of, or under the exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction of, the United States.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 982: Flag Protection and Free Speech Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-982/
MLA
"S. 982: Flag Protection and Free Speech Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-982/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 982, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-982/.
Markdown link
[S. 982: Flag Protection and Free Speech Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-982/)
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