A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 66 - 34. Record Vote Number: 189.

S.J.Res.12 through Congress

S.J.Res.12 keeps its number as it moves between the House and Senate.

SenateApr 14, 2005IntroducedOfficial record

Major milestones in the imported record. See all actions.

No House action is available in our imported record yet.

Separate related House measures (1)

These are different measures identified as related by Congress.gov. Their text and outcomes may differ; they are not the House stage of S.J.Res.12.

Related House measure: H.J.Res.10 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Jun 20, 2006

Constitutional Amendment - Grants Congress power to prohibit the physical desecration of the U.S. flag.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · R–UT

Committees

Judiciary Committee

59 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jun 27, 2006
Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 66 - 34. Record Vote Number: 189.
Senate roll call 189 · Individual votes
Jun 27, 2006
Failed of passage/not agreed to in Senate: Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 66 - 34. Record Vote Number: 189.
Senate roll call 189 · Individual votes
Jun 27, 2006
The committee amendment was agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Jun 27, 2006
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6503-6515, S6515-6547)
Jun 26, 2006
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6471-6487; text as reported in Senate: CR S6471)
Jun 20, 2006
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 473.
Jun 20, 2006
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Specter with an amendment. Without written report.
Jun 20, 2006
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Specter with an amendment. Without written report.
Jun 15, 2006
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
May 4, 2006
Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights. Approved for full committee consideration without amendment favorably.
Apr 14, 2005
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 14, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3686-3687)
Apr 14, 2005
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Reported to Senate · Jun 20, 2006 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Introduced in Senate · Apr 14, 2005 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HJRES 10 · Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.J.Res.12 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.J.Res.12, 109th Congress: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/12

Text version to examine: Reported to Senate · 2006-06-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/sjres12/BILLS-109sjres12rs.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:51:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.J.Res.12 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.J.Res.12 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.J.Res.12, 109th Congress: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/12

Text version to examine: Reported to Senate · 2006-06-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/sjres12/BILLS-109sjres12rs.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:51:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.J.Res.12 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.J.Res.12 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.J.Res.12, 109th Congress: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/12

Text version to examine: Reported to Senate · 2006-06-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/sjres12/BILLS-109sjres12rs.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:51:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.J.Res.12 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.J.Res.12 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.J.Res.12, 109th Congress: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/12

Text version to examine: Reported to Senate · 2006-06-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/sjres12/BILLS-109sjres12rs.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:51:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.J.Res.12 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.