The South Carolina House opened debate over the future of the Confederate flag Wednesday, deliberating a proposal that could remove the banner from the Capitol grounds, possibly before the end of the week, The Associated Press reported. Lawmakers are under pressure to act after the state Senate passed its own measure, which is supported by Gov. Nikki Haley. If approved, it would consign the flag to the state's Confederate Relic Room. But some House Republicans planned to offer amendments to the Senate bill that would preserve some kind of symbol in front of the Statehouse to honor their Southern ancestors. One would put the flag issue to a popular vote. Another would allow the rebel banner to fly only on Confederate Memorial Day in May, and a third would replace the Confederate battle flag with a different banner.
