Both houses of the Mississippi state legislature voted Saturday in favor of a bill to change the state flag, which incorporates the Confederate flag. The state’s House of Representatives voted 85-34 to proceed to a vote on changing the banner. The Senate voted similarly the same day, 36-14. Gov. Tate Reeves indicated he will sign the bill.
Reeves had implored state lawmakers to unite earlier in the week: “The legislature has been deadlocked for days as it considers a new state flag,” the Republican said in a statement. “The argument over the 1894 flag has become as divisive as the flag itself and it’s time to end it. If they send me a bill this weekend, I will sign it.” The legislature had been divided over whether to vote to remove the despised symbol outright or put the matter to a voter referendum.
