HR1351119th CongressWALLET

Promoting American Patriotism In Our Schools Act

Sponsored By: Representative Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5]

Introduced

Summary

Requires daily Pledge recitation and a prominent U.S. flag in classrooms and gyms. This bill would tie federal K-12 education funding to school policies that include those practices and age-appropriate flag history lessons while preserving a religious or personal opt-out.

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  • Students and families would see flag history content added to civics or history for every grade, and any individual could refrain from reciting the Pledge for religious or personal reasons with no penalty.
  • Covered public schools that receive federal education funds would have to adopt, maintain, and enforce a policy meeting the bill's standards and certify compliance to their State educational agency by October 1 each year, with the rules taking effect 180 days after enactment and applying to school years beginning on or after that date.
  • State education agencies would report LEAs that fail to file or have noncompliance complaints to the U.S. Secretary of Education by November 1 each year, and the Secretary could issue rules or orders to secure compliance.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Opt out of Pledge without penalty

If enacted, any student, teacher, or staff member could choose not to say the Pledge for religious or personal reasons. Schools could not punish, discriminate, or retaliate against someone who opts out. These protections would start 180 days after enactment and apply to school years that begin on or after that date.

Daily Pledge and flag rules in schools

If enacted, public K–12 schools that get federal funds would need a policy requiring students, teachers, and staff to say the Pledge at the start of each school day, using the exact words set in federal law. The U.S. flag would be shown in every classroom and gym so everyone can see it. Schools would add age‑appropriate lessons on the flag in civics or history for every grade. A religious or personal exception would be allowed. These rules would start 180 days after enactment and apply to school years that begin on or after that date.

Federal enforcement for noncompliant school districts

If enacted, each school district would have to certify in writing to the State by October 1 each year that it complies. States would report districts that did not file or had noncompliance complaints to the U.S. Education Department by November 1. The Education Secretary could issue rules or orders to make districts comply, including those that certified in bad faith. This authority would begin 180 days after enactment and apply to school years that begin on or after that date.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5]

AL • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Aderholt

    AL • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • LaMalfa

    CA • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]

    MD • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Babin

    TX • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Rep. Downing, Troy [R-MT-2]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Rose

    TN • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Van Drew

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 3/10/2025

  • Langworthy

    NY • R

    Sponsored 3/25/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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