Lawmakers Put Brakes On Resolution To Ban Mississippi Flag From Capitol
The state flag of Mississippi is unfurled against the front of the Governor's Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday. The flag has been the center of renewed controversy since last week's racially motivated shooting of nine parishioners at a black church in South Carolina. Rogelio V. Solis/AP hide caption
The state flag of Mississippi is unfurled against the front of the Governor's Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday. The flag has been the center of renewed controversy since last week's racially motivated shooting of nine parishioners at a black church in South Carolina.
Rogelio V. Solis/APA proposed resolution to remove state flags containing any portion of the Confederate battle flag from the U.S. Capitol has been put on hold by House Republicans.
A proposed resolution to remove state flags containing any portion of the Confederate battle flag from the U.S. Capitol has been put on hold by House Republicans.
The measure, sponsored by Rep. Bennie Thompson, the only black member of Mississippi's congressional delegation, would authorize the Speaker of the House to remove any state flag that contained the Confederate symbol on the House side of the Capitol complex. Mississippi is the only state flag that would be affected.
The measure, sponsored by Rep. Bennie Thompson, the only black member of Mississippi's congressional delegation, would have authorized the Speaker of the House to remove any state flag that contained the Confederate "stars and bars" on the House side of the Capitol complex. Mississippi is the only state flag that would be affected.
In a mostly party-line 240-184 vote, Republicans and a few Democrats sent the resolution to the Committee on House Administration for consideration.
In a mostly party-line 240-184 vote, Republicans and a few Democrats sent the resolution to the Committee on House Administration for consideration.
"They (Republicans) have ground it to a halt," Trey Baker, counsel for Thompson, said of the House vote.
"They (Republicans) have ground it to a halt," Trey Baker, counsel for Thompson, said of the House vote.
State flags are displayed along the underground subway between the Capitol and Rayburn House Office Building. Flags of all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia are displayed there, according to The Hill.
The state flags are displayed along the underground subway between the Capitol and Rayburn House Office Building. Flags of all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia are displayed there, according to The Hill.
The Hill says:
Correction June 28, 2015
An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to the Confederate battle flag as the "Stars and Bars." In fact, the "Stars and Bars" refers to a separate design that served as the first flag of the Confederacy.