The Confederate flag in front of the State House in Columbia, S.C., is officially coming down.
A bill to remove the flag passed the State Senate on Tuesday morning by a near-unanimous vote of 36-3, and — despite opposition from some Republicans — a 94-220 vote in the House sent it to Gov. Nikki Haley’s desk around 1 a.m., EST on Thursday morning. (RELATED: SC Republicans Filibuster Confederate Flag Bill In State House)
While the governor has not yet announced when she will sign the bill into law, she has previously made her sentiments on the issue very clear. Haley stated in a June press conference that removing the “deeply offensive symbol” from the state’s capitol would be the best way to “honor the nine blessed souls” that died in the shooting at Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston.
She also promised to use an executive order to accomplish that end if the state legislature didn’t present her with a bill by summer’s end. (VIDEO: Gov. Haley Says It’s Time For The Confederate Flag To Go)