Should American flags be made in America? The National Independent Flag Dealers of America (NIFDA) thinks most people would say “Yes” to that question. That is why we went to Washington DC during National Flag Week to speak for the American people who are currently being duped by online false advertisers who claim their flags are American made, when they are really a Chinese import.
NIFDA Goes to Washington
On Tuesday morning, some of us NIFDA members met at the Rayburn House Office building where Julye from Saratoga Flag Company (our super organized event planner) handed out personalized packets to each of us. Armed with information, we split up to go visit and make our legislators aware of Rep. Elise Stefanik’s upcoming vote on Bill H.R. 4137.
The Bill:
- To have truth in Advertising from online retailers, such as Amazon, eBay, etc.
- To investigate and stop the offenders falsely claiming their US flags are made in America
- To enforce “Made in USA Labeling Rule” of 2021
- To enforce Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1966
- To ensure all parts, labor, and assembly occur in America
How to Lobby
Having never done anything like this, I wondered what the day would be like. Turns out, the doors of all your representatives and senators’ offices are always open. You just walk in and are greeted by a very nice staffer whose job is to listen, take your material, and give it to your representative. The Senate building and the House of Representative building are on opposite sides of the Capitol. As you can imagine, no matter your age or the comfort of your shoes, after 34,000 steps (14 miles) on hard concrete and marble floors, “our dogs were barking!”
Our Presentation
Gratefully, at 2:30PM, we all met back at Rep. Stefanik’s office for a sit-down meeting and one of my deliveries of materials paid off: Arkansas’ Rep. French Hill’s office obligingly sent a staffer down to our group meeting.
The meeting went well; thanks again to Julye from Saratoga Flag. She introduced us all and began to state the facts. After her quick introduction, we went around the room and presented our case:
- We think Americans and veterans want their American flag made in America
- The public is being dupped.
- It is impossible to police all the pirates on e-tailer websites.
- On Amazon’s first page there are 20 US flag sellers claiming to be American made, but after a deep dive, only 2 are.
- Cheap Chinese made flags, with false advertising, are going to bankrupt American US flag manufacturers and retailers, meaning the extinction of American made US flags.
- This is a bi-partisan, feel-good bill that everyone can get behind.
- And, small businesses, especially family businesses like our flag industry, are the backbone of the American economy and employ most of all workers in the US.
When it was my turn to speak, I reiterated the reality of it being impossible to police and enforce the false adverting Acts already in place, and I suggested the simpler solution was to put a ban on importing the US, State, and Military flags; the staffers were receptive to the idea.
We expect to see favorable legislation and possible banning of imported US flags before the end of the year.
Contact Your Legislators
Contact your local representatives to express your support for HR 4137. Find your member of Congress and let them know you stand behind American manufacturing.
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