Representatives Debate Dozens Of Amendments On Confederate Flag Bill
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COLUMBIA, SC — Momentum is slowing tonight on a plan to remove the Confederate Battle Flag from the South Carolina State House grounds. Members of the State House are still debating at this hour.
Opponents of moving the flag are mounting a campaign to delay a vote by continuing to propose amendments. Almost 70 were voted down Wednesday.
Democrats are demanding a clean bill. But lawmakers opposed to the flag’s removal don’t want to budge. Though the numbers are against them, they’re still pushing for a compromise.
WCCB Charlotte’s Marvin Beach spent the day at the State House.
Dozens of amendments voted down Wednesday. The most heated debate, and the closest vote, came over an amendment to replace the Battle Flag with a South Carolina Infantry Flag used during the Civil War.
“If we try to hide our history, the unfortunate fact is that’s showed throughout history is, you have a tendency to repeat it,” said said Rep. Michael Pitts (R, SC).
“Well, we don’t want to see any further delays. It’s been up for years and years, and you know there’s no time like the present,” said Columbia resident Susan Matthews.
The Senate approved the bill Tuesday with no changes. it would move the flag to the Confederate Relic Room. The bill must be approved by two-thirds of the House before it can go to the Governor’s desk.
