Janice Hahn: “I also rise to express my outrage that my Republican colleagues, in the darkness of the night, offered a surprise…”

“I also rise to express my outrage that my Republican colleagues, in the darkness of the night, offered a surprise amendment to allow the Confederate battle flag to be displayed in our national parks and at Federal cemeteries. Just a couple of days ago, this body voted to remove the Confederate battle flag from our national parks. My Republican colleagues are choosing to raise the Confederate battle flag again, despite growing opposition by Americans who recognize it as a disgraceful celebration of the war waged to prolong slavery in this country. Yesterday, in a stunning sign of progress, South Carolina voted to take down that flag after 50 years of flying it at their State capitol. Why do some here continue to insist on defending this painful symbol of racism? This is shameful. In the wake of the devastating murder of Senator Pinckney and the eight other churchgoers at Emanuel AME, this is a new low for this Congress. ____________________”