WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, is sponsoring legislation to create a constitutional amendment to prohibit the physical desecration of the United States Flag.

"This about honoring and respecting the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of Americans who served to protect liberty and freedom," said Rehberg a member of the House Appropriations Committee and the House Liberty Caucus. "These high ideals have always unified Americans, and though some may denounce our country and our troops, why they would want to physically desecrate a symbol of freedom is beyond imagination."

The legislation, House Joint Resolution 47, would create an amendment designating the flag as a unique American symbol. It would not assign penalties for flag desecration, but would establish the power of Congress to criminalize the act.

"The flag represents our identity as a Republic. It’s that simple," said Ed Sperry, a retired Air Force Colonel and a former Commander of the American Legion of Montana. "The flag represents everything that we stand for in this country. To desecrate that flag is to desecrate everyone who’s ever been buried under that flag. This is about issues not political parties. Every state legislature has asked for this Amendment to pass. It’s time for Congress to act."