Letters

Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) released the following letter he led with 30 Republican colleagues to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough. The letter raises concerns about VA’s apparent decision to violate its own policy by permitting social movement flags, such as the Pride flag, to be flown in place of traditional flags, such as the American flag, at VA facilities.

“Veterans who have served our country deserve to enter a facility that is free from discrimination and political posturing,” the Members wrote in their 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.”

Full text of the letter the Members sent can be found here and below:

Dear Mr. Secretary:

It has come to our attention that in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation entitled, “A Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month, 2023,” signed by President Biden on May 31, 2023, that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities have been authorized to display Pride flags during the month of June. While we join many in questioning whether the display of these flags at VA facilities is an appropriate use of taxpayer funding, we write to you today to express our concern about the way in which the flag is being displayed, and how the display of this flag impacts other symbols of our nation and the commitment we have made to our veterans.

Specifically, we are concerned that Pride flags are being flown and displayed at the expense of other traditional flags at VA facilities, such as the American flag, whose Stars and Stripes represent all Americans. VA’s policy appropriately states no flag may be displayed on VA cemetery property “as a means for political activity or to promote any particular viewpoint or ideology.” I am sure you would agree with us 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. As your policy makes clear, the Pride flag should never replace an American flag, a flag that honors the service of one of the branches of our Armed Forces, a flag representing the seal of the Department, or the POW/MIA recognition flag. We are unaware of any other flags replacing these traditional military service-related flags at VA facilities for other important designated months, like Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March, or Hispanic Heritage Month in September.

Veterans who have served our country deserve to enter a facility that is free from discrimination and political posturing. 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.

By close of business on June 16, 2023, please provide us with an explanation for how VA intends to ensure none of its facilities violate its own policy which does not allow flags promoting politics, or any particular viewpoint or ideology. Please also provide your assurances, in writing, that any Pride flag that has replaced an aforementioned traditional flag has been removed and the traditional flag has been placed in its proper position. We appreciate your prompt attention and assistance with this matter.

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