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California Senate adopts Flag Day resolution after heated floor exchange over upside-down flag
Summary
The California State Senate unanimously adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 74 recognizing June 14, 2025, as Flag Day after extended floor remarks and a procedural dispute over a senator displaying an upside-down U.S. flag as a distress symbol.
Senator Ochoa Bogue introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 74 recognizing June 14, 2025, as Flag Day and asked colleagues for an "I" vote on a measure honoring the flag's history and symbolism.
The resolution, read on the Senate floor, notes the flag's origin (June 14, 1777) and cites presidential proclamations by Woodrow Wilson and Ronald Reagan about the flag representing unity and courage. "This day is personal to me," Ochoa Bogue said, asking members to support the measure.
The ceremonial observance prompted debate when Senator Alvarado Gill raised a point of order about another senator placing a U.S. flag upside down on a desk as a sign of distress. The chair denied a motion to permit a floor reading related to the matter and later upheld the chair's ruling on appeal after a roll-call vote (28 ayes, 8 no), prompting further floor remarks from several senators.
Senator Smallwood Cuevas said she had placed her flag upside down to signal distress at actions in Los Angeles she described as removing people from the streets; she added that the symbol reflected concern for constituents. "My flag is in distress," Smallwood Cuevas said on the floor, citing missing people and families separated by recent enforcement actions.
Other senators urged decorum while supporting the resolution. Senator Umberg said the flag stands for "the rule of law" and urged support for the resolution. Senator Choi described the flag as "a symbol of freedom and justice" and criticized recent incidents of flag burning in demonstrations.
After closing remarks from Ochoa Bogue and applause from the floor, Secretary called the roll. The vote was recorded as Ayes 36, No 0; the resolution was adopted.
The measure is ceremonial (recognizing Flag Day) and does not change policy. The debate on the upside-down flag remained a floor decorum and procedure issue; the chair's rulings on the point of order and appeal were decided by recorded votes prior to the final passage of SCR 74.
Votes at a glance: SCR 74 — adopted, Ayes 36, No 0.
