"US Budget Deal Prohibits LGBTQ+ Pride Flags at Embassies"
The $1.2 trillion government funding bill passed Saturday includes a provision that effectively prohibits Pride flags from flying over U.S. embassies by restricting funds for flag displays at State Department buildings. The White House criticized the provision as targeting LGBTQI+ Americans, and the Congressional Equality Caucus characterized it as a restriction on Pride flag displays. Despite the provision, Democrats successfully eliminated over 45 anti-equality riders from the funding bills during negotiations, and LGBTQ rights advocates see it as a limited win. The White House has expressed commitment to working with Congress to repeal the provision.