H.R.453 - Religious Insignia on Dog Tags Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 453, the "Religious Insignia on Dog Tags Act," directs the Secretary of Defense to update regulations (specifically Department of Defense Directive 5535.12) to allow the combination of Department of Defense trademarks with religious insignia on commercial identification tags (dog tags). These tags can then be sold by lawful trademark licensees. The updated directive is to be retroactively effective from September 13, 2013.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is to permit the commercial sale of dog tags that combine military trademarks with religious symbols. This change would allow individuals to purchase and wear dog tags that reflect both their military affiliation and religious beliefs. The retroactive effective date suggests an attempt to address or rectify a previous restriction or prohibition.
Potential Benefits
- Increased expression of religious and military identity.
- Potential revenue stream for the Department of Defense through trademark licensing.
- Expanded product offerings for trademark licensees.
- Symbolic support for religious expression within the military community.
- Correction of a perceived past injustice or oversight.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for perceived endorsement of specific religions by the Department of Defense.
- Risk of alienating individuals of minority faiths or no faith.
- Possible legal challenges based on the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
- Could be seen as commercializing religious symbols.
- May create division or discord within the military community.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is complex. While it could be argued that allowing religious insignia promotes the free exercise of religion, the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits government endorsement of religion. The key question is whether allowing religious symbols on dog tags constitutes an endorsement. The retroactive aspect does not directly impact constitutional alignment but raises questions about the initial prohibition's justification.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).