S. 2079, the Enhanced Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners Act, would add a new federal crime that imposes an additional prison sentence of at least one year for anyone who uses fire or incendiary devices—including burning the American flag—while committing certain federal offenses involving property damage, obstruction of government operations, or public endangerment. The bill would affect individuals who use fire as part of committing these federal crimes, and the enhanced penalty would be added on top of any existing punishments for the underlying offense. The legislation includes a safeguard stating it does not restrict First Amendment-protected speech or symbolic conduct that doesn't involve criminal acts or threats to public safety. The bill contains no specific funding requirements or implementation timeline beyond its enactment.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.