Provision in $1.2 trillion 'minibus' would effectively bar pride flags from flying at U.S. embassies

A provision in the $1.2 trillion "minibus" that the House of Representatives passed on Friday would effectively prohibit U.S. embassies from flying pride flags.

In a press release touting Democratic success in blocking "anti-equality" provisions in the bill, Congressional Equality Caucus Chairman Mark Pocan, D-Wis., lamented that his bloc had been unable to stop the provision from making it into the House-passed version.

"Unfortunately, Republicans fought to maintain a rider that restricts Pride flag displays at State Department buildings, and the final funding bills did not include some LGBTQI+ community funding projects," he continued. "Our membership will keep fighting for our community in the FY2025 Appropriations process by working to keep bad riders out of future funding bills and ensure no community projects get cut."

The lower chamber approved the legislation on Friday morning in a 286-134 vote. The Senate has yet to pass the measure, however. The legislation represents the second half of a two-part annual budget package.

Included within the text is a provision stating that "[n]one of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be obligated or expended to fly or display a flag over a facility of the United States Department of State," The Hill reported. While the text does include a list of exceptions, the pride flag does not rank among them.

Traditionally a symbol of the LGBTQ+ movement, the pride flag is broadly associated with the political left and its display at U.S. embassies has attracted criticism from conservatives.

The legislation faces a Friday evening deadline to avert a partial government shutdown.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.