Congress·In Committee·H.R. 1351

Promoting American Patriotism In Our Schools Act

Rep. Strong Introduces Bill Requiring Schools to Recite Pledge and Display American Flags

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. It is considered active, but no further committee hearings or votes have been scheduled at this time.

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

The bill would require all public schools receiving federal funds to start every school day with the Pledge of Allegiance. Students, teachers, and staff would all be expected to recite it in the exact form set out in federal law.
From policy text
“all students, teachers, and staff in covered schools shall recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America at the beginning of each school day. The Pledge shall be recited in the exact form and manner set forth in section 4 of title 4, United States Code.”
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Every classroom and gymnasium in covered schools must prominently display an American flag, visible to all occupants during the school day. Schools would also need to add age-appropriate flag education into their civics or history curriculum at every grade level.
From policy text
“The flag of the United States of America shall be prominently displayed in each classroom and gymnasium of each covered school. Each such flag shall be displayed in a manner that ensures it is visible to all occupants of the classroom or gymnasium during the school day.”
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The bill includes a protection allowing any individual to opt out of reciting the Pledge for religious or personal reasons. No one can be punished, discriminated against, or face retaliation for choosing not to participate.
From policy text
“an individual may refrain from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance for religious or personal reasons. No individual may be penalized, discriminated against, or subjected to retaliatory action for exercising the option to refrain from recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance”
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School districts must certify in writing every year by October 1 that they comply with these requirements. States must report noncompliant districts to the Secretary of Education by November 1, and the Secretary can enforce compliance through rules or orders — potentially putting federal funding at risk.
From policy text
“each local educational agency subject to the requirements of this section shall certify in writing to the State educational agency involved that the local educational agency is in compliance with such requirements.”
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The new requirements would take effect 180 days after the bill is signed into law and apply to school years beginning on or after that date, giving schools roughly six months to prepare.
From policy text
“The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to school years beginning on or after such effective date.”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 13, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Feb 13, 2025

Introduced in House

Related News

3 articles

The Fulcrum·8 months ago

Congress Bill Spotlight: Requiring Public Schools Start the Day With the Pledge of Allegiance

The Promoting American Patriotism In Our Schools Act would require all public schools nationally to display the American flag and start the day with the Pledge of Allegiance. The bill includes an opt-out provision for students and staff, complying with the 1943 Supreme Court Barnette decision.

Yellowhammer News·about 1 year ago

Rep. Dale Strong proposes law to bring back patriotism in American schools, receives support from a dozen Alabama school districts

Rep. Dale Strong introduced the Promoting American Patriotism in Our Schools Act, which mandates that schools receiving federal funding require daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and prominently display the U.S. flag. The bill has received support from 12 Alabama school districts.

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WHNT News 19·about 1 year ago

Congressman Dale Strong pushing for patriotism in schools

Congressman Dale Strong introduced H.R. 1351, the Promoting American Patriotism in Our Schools Act. If passed, it would require all elementary and secondary schools receiving federal funding to start each day with the Pledge of Allegiance and display the American flag in all classrooms.