House To Vote On Flag Burning Bill

The House votes Wednesday on a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban desecration of the flag.

The issue has come up in Congress on a regular basis ever since the Supreme Court ruled that burning the American flag is a constitutionally protected form of free speech.

Supporters of the amendment, like Georgia Congressman Phil Gingrey, say "to burn a flag is to disrespect America."

Opponents say the amendment isn't needed, noting that flag burning incidents are few and far between.

Congressman Gary Ackerman says the amendment would infringe on free speech. He says the reason the American flag is different is because "it stands for burning the flag."

While the proposed amendment has always passed the House, it has never gotten the two-thirds vote needed to get through the Senate.