U.S. Representative Rick Crawford (District 1) joins Conduit News to discuss the recent letter sent to the VA Secretary Denis McDonough that calls for the LGBTQ+ flags to be removed outside its facilities.
In a letter Tuesday to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, Rep. Crawford and 30 other House Republicans called the Pride flag a “political symbol” that shouldn’t replace U.S., military, POW/MIA or other official flags typically flown at VA facilities.
Rep. Crawford, of Jonesboro, says he has received numerous calls about the pride flag being displayed at numerous federal facilities. “We looked a little further and found that the VA secretary had initiated a letter saying, basically a directive, telling folks at the VA centers to display the flag. He doesn’t have the authority to do that.”
“Veterans who have served our country deserve to enter a facility that is free from discrimination and political posturing,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “These men and women were apolitical when they served our country, and we should strive to provide them with an apolitical VA when they seek the care, benefits, and services that they have earned.”
In their letter, Crawford and other Republicans gave the VA a June 16 deadline to remove Pride flags that replaced another flag and ensure the “traditional flag has been placed in its proper position.”
Citing the VA National Cemetery Administration’s policy on flag displays, the lawmakers also asked for an explanation of how the department “intends to ensure none of its facilities violate its own policy, which does not allow flags promoting politics or any particular viewpoint or ideology.”
“I am sure you would agree with us,” they wrote, “that the Pride flag is viewed by many, including numerous veterans our offices have engaged with, as a political symbol reflective of a social movement and represents only one group of Americans.”
Arkansas’ four congressmen Reps. Crawford, French Hill of Little Rock, Steve Womack of Rogers, and Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs all signed the letter.
Read the entire letter here.
