in the house of representatives behind the speaker's desk there are three symbols, one is the American flag and two are Fasces, a bundle of rods with an axe head embedded. what these symbolize is fascism.

The original symbol of fascism, in Italy under Benito Mussolini, was the fasces. This is an ancient Imperial Roman symbol of power carried by lictors in front of magistrates; a bundle of sticks featuring an axe, indicating the power over life and death.