Sen Barack Obama on Voting Against Flag-Burning Amendment

"Today, there are hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops risking their lives for their country, looking to us to come up with a plan to win the peace so they can come home. Across America, there are millions who are looking for us to do something about health care, about education, about energy.

The Senate will likely be in session for about 50 more days for the rest of this year. To spend the precious time we have left battling an epidemic of flag burning that does not exist is a disservice to our country.

As Richard Savage of Bloomington, Illinois wrote to me, 'I am a Vietnam veteran and Republican. . . . Those who would burn the flag destroy the symbol of freedom, but amending the Constitution would destroy part of freedom itself.' Mr. Savage is right, which is why I will vote against this amendment."

--- Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, on June 27, 2006, commenting on the Hatch amendment that stated: "The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States."

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