To prohibit the Commandant of the Coast Guard from issuing guidance that is less restrictive on prohibiting divisive or hate symbols and flags than the memorandum titled "Coast Guard Policy and Lawful Order Prohibiting Divisive or Hate Symbols and Flags", and for other purposes.

# Summary of HR 6346 **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would prevent the Commandant (top leader) of the U.S. Coast Guard from weakening or removing existing rules that ban divisive or hate symbols and flags on Coast Guard property and uniforms. Specifically, it locks in place a 2021 Coast Guard policy that prohibits symbols like the Confederate flag and other hate-related imagery. If passed, the Commandant could not issue new guidance that allows these symbols unless Congress approves the change. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill directly affects Coast Guard personnel and operations.

It essentially makes the current hate symbol ban permanent and harder to reverse through administrative action alone. This means Coast Guard members would continue to be prohibited from displaying certain symbols at work, while the policy itself would require congressional action to change rather than just a decision by Coast Guard leadership. **Current Status** HR 6346 is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was sponsored by Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY).