Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara wants American flags sold in New York to be made in America.

The Rotterdam Democrat is crafting legislation requiring New York and American flags to be made in America with American materials if New Yorkers want to purchase them. The proposal builds off federal law, which requires flags purchased by the federal government to be made of at least 50 percent American materials, according to a release from Santabarbara.

“Our flag has covered the coffins of presidents, it has traveled to the moon, and for those who make the ultimate in sacrifice for our great nation, their remains are covered with the flag for which they fought for when they are given their final honors, and that flag should be made in the United States,” Santabarbara said in a statement.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 there was a push in Congress to ensure that American flags were made in America. The measure did not pass, but several states, including Massachusetts, adopted restrictions on flags purchased with state funds and Minnesota banned the purchase of imported American flags, according to the release.

Santabarbara cited figures indicting $3.6 million worth of American flags are annually imported. “That means millions of Americans show their patriotism by waving a flag that was not made in the United States,” he said.