House may backpedal its own Confederate flag restrictions

Source: The Hill

The House on Thursday will vote on a Republican amendment to a spending bill that would undo new restrictions members approved only this week on the display of the Confederate flag on federal land.

The amendment to the House's Interior and Environment spending bill would allow for the display of Confederate flags at national cemeteries managed by the National Park Service (NPS) even though members voted to ban the practice earlier this week. It would counteract another amendment to the same bill blocking the service from selling Confederate flag memorabilia in gift shops in the future.

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) offered the amendment in the closing minutes of floor debate on the spending bill Wednesday night. He made only a token statement in support of the amendment before setting up a roll call vote on it for Thursday.
“This amendment will codify existing National Park Service policy and directives with regard to the decoration of cemeteries and concession sales,” he said. “I urge adoption of my amendment.”

The amendment comes one day after the House voted, unanimously and with little debate, on a series of amendments to diminish the flag’s presence at NPS-managed cemeteries and stores. A vote on Calvert's amendment will effectively force members to go on the record for or against the display of the flag on federal land.

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/247330-house-set-to-consider-rolling-back-its-own-confederate-flag