House Democrats Leading the Way to #TakeItDown
Today on the House Floor, Leader Pelosi offered a resolutioncalling on Speaker Boehner and the House Republican Conference to remove any state flag containing the Confederate Battle flag from the United States Capitol. Pelosi's resolution is an updated version of a resolution offered by Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) on June 25. Along a largely party line vote, House Republicans referred this resolution for the second time today to the Committee on House Administration.
National Journal – Pelosi Moves to Ban Confederate Flags From Capitol
The House voted Thursday afternoon to punt on the issue of removing state flags containing the Confederate flag from the U.S. Capitol.
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi introduced a resolution to ban such flags Thursday. The House then voted almost strictly on party lines on a Republican procedural motion that may kill it by sending it to committee.
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The Confederate flag controversy has dominated the House on Thursday after Republicans attempted to roll back amendments the chamber passed earlier this week that would limit the appearance of the flag in national parks. Speaker John Boehner subsequently pulled the Interior-EPA spending bill after Democratic protests of the maneuver and when it became clear such an attempt would not pass.
After last month's Charleston shooting and after "so many decades" of the flag being displayed, "it's long past the time to put away the Confederate battle flag," Pelosi told reporters.
AP – After Democratic protests, House scraps revote on Confederate flag ban on federal cemeteries
Retreating under pressure, House Republicans abruptly scrapped plans for a vote Thursday to permit the display of Confederate flags at Park Service-run cemeteries, reacting to furious protests from Democrats that the banner celebrates a murderous, racist past.
"What exactly is the tradition of the Confederate battle flag that we're supporting?" Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. challenged supporters of the proposal, shortly before the GOP leadership announced its decision.
"Is it slavery, rape, kidnap ,treason, genocide or all of the above?"
No Republican rose to respond.
Huffington Post – Nancy Pelosi: Time To ‘Put Away' Confederate Flag
It is time for the U.S. to "put away" the Confederate battle flag, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on Thursday, as a fight over the symbol reached fever pitch on Capitol Hill.
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Pelosi scolded Republicans for scheduling a vote on the amendment on the same day that marks the 147th anniversary of the 14th amendment, which "granted equal protection for all."
"Today, the same day appallingly, Republicans will cast a vote on an amendment in support of the Confederate battle flag," she said.
The Hill – Pelosi ambushes GOP with Confederate flag resolution
The House voted Thursday to refer legislation banning the Confederate flag image from the Capitol to a committee, effectively punting the issue.
The dramatic vote was forced by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who was eager to put a spotlight on the issue after House GOP leaders pulled a separate bill from the floor after an intra-party fight over the flag.
After Pelosi offered the resolution, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) immediately moved to refer the measure to the House Administration Committee for further review.
Democrats shouted their disapproval to drown out all other sound in the House chamber.
"Vote! Vote! Vote!" they chanted.
CNN – Dems blast GOP move on Confederate flag amendment
House Republican leaders decided to yank a bill on Thursday that would have allowed Confederate flags in federally run cemeteries. The decision comes on the same day South Carolina decided to remove the flag from its own state capitol.
The move came after House Democrats blasted the GOP proposal that emerged Wednesday night, saying it undermined efforts to limit the use and sale of Confederate flags in national parks and grave sites.
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Also condemning the amendment was Rep. Steve Israel, D-New York, who called the proposal the result of a "late-night, backdoor strategy."
"Once again, House Republicans are proving that they are the party that takes every opportunity to undo progress," he said in a statement.
Before offering this bold resolution, Speaker Boehner and the House GOP leadership had to deal with their internal dysfunction, obstruction and distraction:
#ConfederateFlag debacle on House Floor is a HUGE unforced error by Leadership. They avoided issue for wks--day SC takes it down, they're in
House GOP leadership canceling Interior Approps bill vote after drama with the Confederate flag amendment being added
So an annual spending bill that funds enviro programs was just pulled because some GOPers want to wave the Confederate flag. #Congress
So, to recap, Republicans pulled a bill to avoid voting on the Confederate flag, and now Democrats are making them vote on it ALL DAY.
Easiest way out of the House's Confederate Flag mess would be to PULL THE BILL…
These reprehensible symbols and images of hate and division in our nation's history should be stored in a museum – not displayed in a place of honor in the United States Capitol.