Lengthy Debate Ahead for Confederate Flag Bill
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COLUMBIA, SC – Opponents of a plan to take down the Confederate Battle Flag from the South Carolina State House grounds will have their best chance to derail the bill Wednesday. The House will take up the measure after it was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate Tuesday.
“I have an amendment. I have several amendments. A plethora of amendments,” said Rep. Michael Pitts.
Pitts is seeking a compromise on the plan to move the Battle Flag to the Confederate Relic Room. He has promised to bring the bill to a “grinding halt” by continuing to add amendments.
“I’m willing to compromise. Take the flag down, but I also ask that my relatives that fought in that war still have their memorial,” Pitts said.
Meanwhile, Senators gave their overwhelming approval early Tuesday with a 36-3 vote.
“We can’t afford to fly a dividing symbol on front lawn of the South Carolina State House,” said Senator Vincent Sheheen.
Sheheen, who sponsored the bill, has called for the flag to come down since running for governor last year.
“It shouldn’t take the deaths of nine people for us to take a step to unite South Carolina,” Sheheen said.
The widow of the late Senator Clementa Pinckney met with Senators after the vote.
The murder of Pinckney and eight others in a Charleston church last month reignited the debate over the flag. But the bill’s most outspoken opponent, Senator Lee Bright, says the decision shouldn’t be based on emotion.
“We have all shown our respect for Sen. Pinckney and he will not be forgotten, but to merge the two and to blame the history of the south on one homicidal maniac is beyond the pale,” Bright said.
