HR 4287 United States House · 119th Congress

Enhanced Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners Act

This bill adds a new penalty for using fire or incendiary devices during certain federal crimes. Specifically, it mandates an extra minimum of one year in prison for anyone who knowingly uses fire or such devices while committing federal offenses involving property damage, obstruction of government operations, or public endangerment - including burning the U.S. flag as part of that crime. The law explicitly excludes First Amendment-protected expressive conduct (like peaceful flag desecration not tied to criminal acts) from this penalty. It applies only to individuals already charged with federal crimes where fire use escalates the offense.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jul 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Jul 2, 2025 Last action Jul 2, 2025
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2
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Committee
1
Jul 2, 2025
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
lower
Jul 2, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors

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