Bill Overview
Title: All-American Flag Act
Description: This bill prohibits agencies from using funds to procure a U.S. flag unless such flag has been manufactured in the United States from materials that have been U.S. grown, produced, or manufactured. The bill specifies exceptions to this prohibition, including an exception if flags of satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity cannot be procured as needed at market prices.
Sponsors: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved in production and procurement of U.S. flags
Estimated Size: 15000000
- The bill pertains to the manufacturing of U.S. flags which implies it will impact those involved in the production process.
- Domestic manufacturers of flags will likely see an increase in demand, potentially impacting employment positively in this sector.
- Consumers of U.S. flags, particularly government agencies, will be directly impacted as they will need to ensure that all purchased flags meet the new requirements.
- Suppliers of raw materials used in flag production that are based in the U.S. are likely to see changes in demand for their products.
- The bill could impact international manufacturers who currently serve the U.S. flag market and do not meet the requirements.
Reasoning
- The estimated affected population includes domestic manufacturers and workers in the flag production industry, which is relatively small compared to the entire U.S. population.
- Government agencies and contractors who procure flags will need to source flags that comply with new requirements; agencies reliant on budget constraints may see impacts on procurement efficiency.
- Those in industries supplying raw materials to U.S. flag manufacturers will potentially see increases in demand.
- The implementation cost is high, with economic benefits focused mainly on specific sectors, such as manufacturing and textiles, suggesting targeted but limited widespread impact.
Simulated Interviews
Factory Worker (South Carolina)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this policy as a potential for more secure jobs in our factory since more flags will need to be made domestically.
- My only concern is if the cost of making flags goes up too much, it could affect sales overall.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Flag Retailer (Michigan)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the idea behind this bill because it aligns with the principles of my business.
- A potential challenge will be managing any price increases that might come with the shift in sourcing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Government Procurement Officer (Washington D.C.)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will add constraints to my work by limiting suppliers and possibly increasing costs.
- I will have to be diligent in finding U.S. manufacturers able to meet our needs without exceeding budget limits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Textile Supplier (Texas)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The increase in demand for U.S. manufactured flags could positively impact our sales.
- There is uncertainty about whether production will ramp up to meet new demand levels quickly enough.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
School Principal (California)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important to have an American-made flag, but I worry this could affect our already tight budget.
- Finding the right supplier could be an administrative hassle.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Export-Import Agent (Kentucky)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Limiting flag imports could affect our business with foreign manufacturers.
- We may need to focus more on other goods, but this change is worrisome nonetheless.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Artisan Flag Manufacturer (Ohio)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the potential for more business with this policy supporting the domestic manufacture of flags.
- The challenge will lie in scaling up production while maintaining quality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Economist (New York)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could stimulate domestic manufacturing, but we need to consider costs and pushback from international trading partners.
- We should also evaluate how this affects the pricing and availability of flags.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Flag Distributor (Mississippi)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If we can't transition to sourcing from U.S. manufacturers quickly, it might hit our business hard.
- I hope this doesn't cause a surge in prices that buyers are unwilling to pay.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Communications Director for a Veteran's Organization (Illinois)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy supports our values and gives us another reason to promote events with American-made flags.
- I’m concerned it might temporarily disrupt access to flags, but I believe it’s for a good cause.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 2: $305000000 (Low: $255000000, High: $355000000)
Year 3: $310000000 (Low: $260000000, High: $360000000)
Year 5: $315000000 (Low: $265000000, High: $365000000)
Year 10: $330000000 (Low: $280000000, High: $380000000)
Year 100: $600000000 (Low: $550000000, High: $650000000)
Key Considerations
- The primary impact of the policy is regulatory, affecting procurement practices of government agencies in their flag purchases.
- Economic effects stem from potential increases in domestic manufacturing, which might be positive for U.S. production but could inflate costs.
- The administrative burden encompasses ensuring compliance with the act across various federal and state agencies.
- Market dynamics might shift, potentially affecting prices and availability of raw materials required for flag production in the U.S.