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S.J.Res. 4: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

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S.J.Res. 4: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

108th Congress · introduced 2003-01-16 · Commemorations · Latest: By Senator Hatch from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/22/04. Report No. 108-334. Minority and Supplemental views filed.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2003-01-16 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: By Senator Hatch from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/22/04. Report No. 108-334. Minority and Supplemental views filed. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Constitutional Amendment - Grants Congress the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the U.S. flag.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate without amendment), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate without amendment)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · 56 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S.J. Res. 4, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States (2004-07-23); CBO cost estimate: S.J. Res. 4, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States (2004-07-23)

Cosponsors on this site

Susan M. Collins (R-ME), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)
Constitutional amendment
A change to a constitution. In Texas the Legislature proposes an amendment with a joint resolution passed by two-thirds of the members of each chamber. It takes effect only if a majority of the people voting on it approve it. In Florida, an amendment needs at least 60% of the votes cast on it to pass.
Joint resolution
In Texas, the type of measure the Legislature uses to propose a constitutional amendment (marked HJR or SJR). The governor does not sign or veto it; the voters decide. In Congress a joint resolution can also be used like a bill. In Florida, a joint resolution passed by three-fifths of the members of each chamber puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong108-sjres4 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108